Bellenden Residents' Group (BRG)

The off peak 2tph (trains per hour) service was stopped by the train operator Southern Rail in mid-December. A few trains still run during peak hours. There was an outcry as there was not adequate information and consultation and few users of the service knew about it until the last moment. Tessa Jowell MP carried out a user survey and we are promised the results soon. The franchise for Southern's services is up for renewing this year, and she has written to the potential franchisees saying she will support any bid that reinstates the East Croydon link and looks at the uneven distribution of trains in the peak. Southern Rail are due to conduct a review of the new timetable in February. If you used this service, as a link through beyond to Gatwick, Brighton etc, as well as to Croydon itself, please email Tessa Jowell (jowellt@parliament.uk) to give your views, and cc SRUG@bellenden.net.