The Transport and Place Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to receive updates from rail operators Southeastern and Govia Thameslink Railway regarding their services within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The meeting focused on issues of intra-borough connectivity, support for the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy, accessibility, and service reliability.

Southeastern Railway Services

The panel was scheduled to review responses from Southeastern Railway to written questions concerning various aspects of their service. A significant focus was on issues affecting commuters in Kidbrooke, where residents have reported overcrowded trains and insufficient carriage capacity, particularly during early weekday mornings. Southeastern's response indicated that they are collecting data on crowding levels and are planning to replace older train fleets, such as the Class 465, with newer Class 707 trains, which offer greater capacity. They stated, A new fleet of trains will be the catalyst to transform our metro services. We would welcome the Royal Borough of Greenwich's support in making the case for this major investment. ¹

Further questions addressed the potential reinstatement of the Sunday North Kent route, which Southeastern had previously stated was not viable due to a lack of demand. In response to a query about the trend away from weekday commuting towards daytime travel, Southeastern indicated they are making a case to the Department for Transport for a timetable uplift in the metro area, aiming to better accommodate customer needs and enhance regional links.

The panel was also to consider the establishment of a designated point of contact for councillors to liaise with Southeastern, a request that was met with a positive response. Southeastern confirmed they have a Public Affairs team available for direct communication with elected representatives.

Discussions were also scheduled regarding weekend loop services from Mottingham and New Eltham stations to Woolwich and Charlton, particularly on Charlton FC match days. Southeastern reported ongoing collaboration with Charlton FC to understand demand and fan requirements, with potential timetable changes not expected before December 2026.

Concerns about a sewage smell and leakage at Eltham Station car park were also on the agenda. Southeastern indicated that investigations were ongoing, involving site visits, discussions with Thames Water, and CCTV surveys. Further, more intrusive works, including excavation, were being considered as a next step.

The panel was to receive an update on the Blackheath tunnel, with Southeastern confirming that major improvement works undertaken in 2024 and 2025 were essential for structural integrity and punctuality. While no further major works are currently planned, they stated that, as with any structure over 175 years old, future maintenance would be necessary.

Finally, Southeastern was to provide information on engagement with the Council regarding the Charlton Riverside masterplan and the potential redevelopment of Charlton station as a transport hub. They indicated they are undertaking a strategic study of their metro service and are working with local authorities, including Greenwich, to align long-term railway capacity planning with local growth plans.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Services

The panel was scheduled to review responses from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to written questions. One question followed the Huntingdon incident and inquired about the business case for train crew on night-time services. GTR highlighted their existing measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, including collaboration with the British Transport Police (BTP), expanding their enforcement teams, and increasing the use of body-worn cameras. They emphasised that antisocial behaviour is a wider societal problem and that coordinated action with police, councils, and community groups is crucial. GTR stated that rail travel remains one of the safest ways to travel, with approximately 26 crimes recorded per one million passenger journeys.

Similar to Southeastern, GTR was asked about a designated point of contact for councillors. They confirmed that councillors can contact their Public Affairs and Community Partnerships team via email.

The possibility of adding a stop at Woolwich Dockyard for Thameslink services was also to be discussed. GTR indicated that after discussions with Southeastern and Network Rail, adding a stop at Woolwich Dockyard, Erith, or Belvedere was not currently feasible due to tight timings and the potential for detrimental impacts on overall line performance and punctuality. They noted that similar issues had arisen with the opening of Brent Cross West Station.

Finally, the panel was to receive an update on GTR's progress in improving performance regarding cancellations and service punctuality. GTR detailed their focus on infrastructure resilience, response to disruption, and measures to reduce the impact of trespass. They also highlighted efforts to strengthen driver availability through support, occupational health investment, and a recruitment programme, aiming for a 7% increase in drivers by the end of the year.