WEATHER: Latest on snow, travel warnings, MP condemns train company (From News Shopper)

WEATHER: Latest on snow, travel warnings, MP condemns train company

2:00pm Thursday 7th January 2010

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THE reduced train timetable which has been in place for the last two days will continue tomorrow, Southeastern has announced.

A statement on the company's website says: "Freezing temperatures, snow and ice have been forecast over the next few days.

"To ensure we’re able to run the best service possible in these weather conditions a revised metro and mainline timetable is currently in place."

Meanwhile the Met Office is warning residents in north Kent and London to take extra care today and tomorrow in extremely icy conditions.

Widespread ice is expected on roads and pavements over the next few days as yesterday's snow turns to dangerous ice.

Short but heavy snow showers could still hit parts of north Kent and south-east London throughout this evening, but showers are not expected to be as heavy as yesterday.

These showers could continue until tomorrow lunchtime.

In travel news, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich Nick Raynsford has condemned the poor train services provided by Southeastern today and yesterday.

The company, along with Southern trains has been running a reduced service to cope with the severe weather conditions.

In a letter he sent yesterday to Southeastern managing director Charles Horton, he said: "This morning there were no problems with buses running through Greenwich and Woolwich.

"The DLR was running without delays and the Jubilee line through North Greenwich was running without incident.

"I understand from TfL that de-icing trains were run on overground tube lines to lessen the impact of the weather on the underground network.

"You will, therefore, understand my dismay at hearing that trains run by Southeastern through the borough on metro services were at a frequency of two per hour during rush hour despite the relatively light snow fall in south-east London on the night of January 5.

He added: "I am also quite taken aback to hear from Mike Gibson at Southeastern that the last train to Greenwich tonight will depart at 19.51.

"Given that other forms of transport were running without problems it is unfortunate overground rail services were the weak link in the network.

"Following the disruption from the snow last February I would have hoped that appropriate contingency plans would be in place to deal with snowfall to keep the network running.

"Given that the cold snap is forecast to continue for some time I hope Southeastern will put a plan into place to keep the network running throughout the winter.”

A spokesman for Southeastern responded by saying: “Since yesterday Southeastern has been operating an amended timetable as a result of the severe weather conditions. The decision to do this was based on advice from Network Rail who is responsible for maintaining the network and determining what services can operate.

"The snow and ice has caused disruption to services, electrical damage to some trains and difficulties for staff getting to work on untreated roads.

"Whilst we understand that the introduction of an amended timetable has meant inconvenience to our passengers it has allowed us to deploy some of our resources to the operation of trains which have kept rails free of ice.

"This has supported Network Rail’s efforts to keep the network open through the operation of specialist de-icing vehicles.

"Despite the freezing temperatures our joint efforts have ensured that the majority of passengers are able to get to and from work.

"We told passengers of our intention to operate a revised timetable as soon as possible and have kept people updated through, texts, emails, station notices, on board announcements and station announcements as well as providing extra staff at stations and keeping the media informed.

"We are more than happy to explain all of these issues to Mr Raynsford directly and explain the efforts that our staff are making to maintain services in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

"The revised timetable remains in place today and tomorrow and we are asking passengers to check with National Rail Enquiries for information on their journeys over the next few days.”

In other travel news the M20 is closed London bound between junctions 8 and 7 due to a jack-knifed lorry.

The M20 coastbound between junctions 8 and 9 is now down to one lane due to debris from an earlier incident.

Summary of revised train services

Line closures

Grove Park to Bromley North - replacement bus service is operating

Orpington to London Victoria

The first service from Orpington leaves at 0455 terminating at Herne Hill. The first service from Orpington to Victoria is 0625. Services run through the day departing at 25 and 55 mins past the hour. The last service departs from Orpington at 2025.

Dartford to London Charing Cross and Cannon St via Bexleyheath

The first service departs Barnehurst at 0642. Services leave Barnehurst at 59, 12, 29 and 42 past each hour through the day. The last service departs Barnehurst at 1942. The first service from Dartford departs 0652. Services leave Dartford at 22 and 52 mins past each hour through the day. The last service will be 1922.

Gillingham to London Charing Cross and Cannon St via Sidcup

The first service departs Crayford is 0702. The first service to depart Gillingham is the 0637. Services leave at 07 and 37 mins past the hour from Gillingham through the day. Additional services depart Crayford at 02 and 32 mins past the hour through the day. The last service departs from Gillingham at 1937.

Sevenoaks to London Charing Cross via Grove Park

The first service starts from Orpington at 0645. The first service from Sevenoaks is 0657. Services leave at 27 and 57 through the day. The last service is at 1927.

Dartford to London Cannon Street via Greenwich

The first service leaves at 0631. Services leave through the day at 01 and 31 mins past the hour. The last service is at 2001.

Hayes to London Cannon Street

The first service departs at 0650. Services run through the day at 20 and 50 mins past the hour. The last service is at 2020.

London Victoria to Orpington

The first service from Victoria departs at 0640 calling at Brixton, Herne Hill, West Dulwich, Sydenham Hill, Penge East, Kent House, Beckenham Junction, Shortlands, Bromley South, Bickley, Petts Wood and Orpington. Services leave at 10 and 40 mins past the hour through the day. The last service from Victoria is 2040.

London Charing Cross to Dartford via Bexleyheath

The first service departs London Charing Cross at 0702 calling at Waterloo East, London Bridge, Lewisham, Blackheath, Kidbrooke, Eltham, Falconwood, Welling, Bexleyheath, Barnehurst and Dartford. Services leave at 02 and 32 mins past the hour through the day. The last service departs at 2032.

London Cannon Street to Barnehurst via Bexleyheath

The first service departs Cannon Street at 0750. Services leave at 20 and 50 mins past the hour through the day. The last service leaves at 2020.

London Charing Cross to Gillingham via Sidcup

The first train to depart Charing Cross is the 0656 calling at Waterloo East, London Bridge, Hither Green, Lee, Mottingham, New Eltham, Sidcup, Albany Park, Bexley, Crayford, Dartford, Stone Crossing, Greenhithe, Swanscombe, Northfleet, Gravesend, Higham, Strood, Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham. Services leave at 26 and 56 mins past the hour through the day. The last service departs at 1956.

London Cannon Street to Crayford via Sidcup

The first service departs Cannon Street at 0814. Services leave at 14 and 44 past the hour through the day. The last service leaves at 2014.

London Charing Cross to Sevenoaks via Grove Park

The first service to depart is the 0806 calling at Waterloo East, London Bridge, New Cross, St Johns, Lewisham, Hither Green, Elmstead Woods, Chislehurst, Petts Wood, Orpington, Knockholt, Dunton Green and Sevenoaks. Services leave at 06 and 36 mins past the hour through the day. The last train departs at 2036.

London Cannon Street to Dartford via Greenwich

The first service leaves at 0717 calling at London Bridge, Deptford, Greenwich, Maze Hill, Westcombe Park, Charlton, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich Arsenal, Plumstead, Abbey Wood, Belvedere, Erith, Slade Green and Dartford. Services leave through the day at 17 and 47 mins past the hour. The last service is at 1947.

London Cannon Street to Hayes

The first service departs at 0700 calling at London Bridge, New Cross, St John's, Lewisham, Ladywell, Catford Bridge, Lower Sydenham. New Beckenham, Clock House, Elmers End, Eden Park, West Wickham and Hayes. Services leave on the hour and 30 mins past the hour through the day. The last service is at 1930.

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