Southeastern has appointed a new managing director.

David Statham will take charge of the operator, which serves south-east London, Kent, and part of East Sussex, from September 15, Govia announced on Friday (Aug 20).

Mr Statham, who is currently the managing director of First Capital Connect, said he is pleased with his new role.

He said: "I’m delighted to be joining the team at Southeastern at such a critical time and am looking forward to building on the firm foundations laid by the current management team."

Mr Statham joins as rail services in the south-east are being overhauled as part of the Thameslink Programme. 

Some residents of Beckenham have expressed concern in recent weeks with cuts to services to central London expected in 2018. 

Southeastern serves 179 stations and 600,000 passengers each week. It often comes under fire from users.

In May one of its trains was been taken out of service after an angry commuter said urine was running through his carriage

Henry Bryne said he was travelling on the 08.47 from New Beckenham to Charing Cross when he encountered an "unbearable stench".