Thameslink rail cuts: Two Labour MPs raise forthcoming service reductions

Two Labour MPs have written to both Thameslink and the Rail Minister following news that Thameslink will be halving services through north Kent and Greenwich for six weeks this summer.

The cut means direct trains to the Elizabeth line from fast-growing stations in north Kent located amidst much new housing reduces to just one train per hour, whilst Greenwich stations will see a 30 minute gap between trains.

Dartford’s Labour MP Jim Dickson wrote to what is now Greater Thameslink Railway earlier this week though addressed it to Govia Thameslink Railway, despite Govia no longer operating the service it as it’s now under DfT control. He raised the issue of cutting Thameslink trains to one per hour at a string of north Kent stations.

Today Greenwich and Woolwich MP Matt Pennycook has raised the issue almost two weeks after it became known, by writing to the Rail Minister Lord Hendy.

In the letter he raises the point that Southeastern runs within 10 minutes of Thameslink. This is not always the case. Cuts mean no services for 30 minutes at a busy, inner London stations from both Thameslink and Southeastern.

Long gaps in service

With the removal of the :47 past the hour Thameslink train there is only a Southeastern service at :29 and then :59 past the hour from Greenwich to central London, to give but one example. That’s the worst service level in decades.

Ten years ago it was every 10 minutes. It could be argued every 15 minutes would suffice but half an hour? At a busy station with many new homes and ever more tourists?

That’s an abysmal level of service and for this government to introduce it so soo after taking control beggars belief. It makes an absolute mockery of what they claim to support, such as the hospitality industry.

Cuts in Greenwich will ensure fewer trains during the peak summer tourist season. Tourist numbers in Greenwich has risen from 12 million in 2021 to 20 million in 2025. That will impact tourism with Greenwich Council recently stating:

“Greenwich welcomes on average about 20 million visitors annually who generate £1.87 billion in tourism revenue and support 16,000 jobs, representing a 25% year-on-year growth in visitor spending and demonstrating the vital importance of tourism to our local economy.”

Ironically the Labour council were complaining of prior Tory cuts in that motion, before this Labour government added their own when it comes to rail.

The same is true at Deptford. All those bars and shops beside the station? Now they’ll get big cuts in service to the adjacent railway station. Hundreds of new homes nearby are also now being occupied.

Sometimes I’ve read it said that’s it’s “only six weeks, which seems to be government’s line. But “only” six weeks does nothing to help tourism, businesses nor encourage people to use public transport. There’s plenty of new homes being occupied now and people may give rail a go, see how bad it is and never return.

Impact

As for the two Labour MP writing letters it could be argued the letters are merely performative and sent to show something is “being done”. Maybe so. How Government responds will be interesting. I suspect a lot of pertinent issues will be skirted.

But it does raise the rather ludicrous situation of Labour MPs – including the Housing Minister who knows the importance of public transport for new developments – writing to colleagues such as the Rail Minister about a cut that frankly should never have been approved.

It again shows the ignorance and lack of knowledge from the Department for Transport – who now have direct control over Thameslink – who are dancing to the tune of the Treasury insisting on “savings” (or cuts in old money) with no apparent thought of the wider economic impact, nor that tourist numbers are rising as are general passenger journeys at many stations.

That annual growth was last recorded at 10-20 per cent in Greenwich stations and north Kent.

Surely they also know the Elizabeth line is wildly popular, so why cut direct trains to it from various north Kent station down to just one per hour in summer when leisure travel is strong?

Doesn’t bode well

Ultimately the big issue is what does this suggest about this government and its approach to rail? It’s all well and good taking over rail networks but if cuts are the *first* thing they seek to implement, well, is that what people want? Is that good for housing, development and the wider economy?

PR about their nationalisation will fall flat if this is how the DfT and the Treasury intend to behave in future.

Supporting the “builders not blockers”? Growth as a core element of the government’s mission? Supporting business and the hospitality industry?

You don’t achieve that by taking an axe to rail services.