Southeastern rail growth: A look at the Sidcup line
Continuing with a series looking at rail growth across Southeastern let’s now take a look at the Sidcup line.
During the period covered (April 2024 to March 2025) this line saw fewer new homes built near stations compared to other lines so these increases mostly seem to be general recovery.
The standout is Albany Park with growth of 17.2 per cent.
Albany Park bore the brunt of cuts in 2022 which impacted all three lines from London Bridge to Dartford with services dropping to just two trains an hour for much of the day.
The was improved early in the period covered by these figures and reverted back to four trains per hour in 2024.
Future growth
Whilst new housing was relatively limited along the line that won’t be the case in future with a number of major new developments on the way.
Crayford is set to see 559 homes from developer London Square.
The site has been approved, cleared and a start is expected soon.
New Eltham has recently seen plans for 205 homes but that is not yet approved and on a controversial site.
Lee station would be expected to see growth when the Leegate Centre is rebuilt. Revised plans have just been approved and demolition is to commence.
A total of 620 homes and shops are to be built on site.
Finally stations at either end such as Dartford, Higher Green Lewisham see plenty of new housing though both are shared with other lines.
An upgrade project at Hither Green currently underway should encourage further usage with new entrances and step-free access.
Services
Like many lines those 2022 cuts remain in part. Whilst Albany Park did return to four trains per hour services such as the fasts that ran direct from New Eltham to London Bridge never did.
They are not returning in the latest timetable change commencing next week. Neither is the second service to Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line for much of the day nor the two trains per hour via Greenwich and Charlton removed in 2022, along with the Sunday service from the Woolwich line via Lewisham and New Cross.
Click here to see figures for the Bexleyheath line.
Click here for the Woolwich line.
And finally here for stations in north Kent.
The Sidcup line is also a busy suburban line that Southeastern metro trains use when operating from Cannon Street and Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup.
Were there plans for Thameslink to use the Sidcup line as a 2nd alternative route as they currently use the North Kent line via Charlton and Woolwich Arsenal to Dartford, Gravesend, Rochester, Gillingham and Rainham to/from Luton and St. Albans City.
We can expect to see further growth on most lines due to the huge amount of construction taking place across Greater London.
Wit thousands of new homes under construction bringing thousands of new residents to the area. More services will be required to meet demand.