The Transport Users' Sub-Committee of Bexley Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026 to discuss a range of transport-related issues. Key topics included updates on rail services from South Eastern Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway, as well as ongoing work by Transport for London (TfL) on bus services and the proposed DLR extension. The committee also reviewed reports on highway maintenance, road safety, and street works, including plans for cycling infrastructure and electric vehicle charging points.

Rail Issues

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update from South Eastern Railway, including information on works to upgrade metro stations within the borough. A particular concern raised was the planned temporary cuts to Thameslink Railway services by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) during July and August 2026. GTR, which recently transferred into public ownership, announced plans to reduce services to hourly during off-peak times and on Saturdays, although weekday peak services would remain half-hourly. This reduction is expected to impact journeys towards Greenwich or into London, with journeys potentially increasing from four to three or six to five trains per hour in the off-peak. Council officers had requested passenger data used to plan these cuts.

Additionally, Network Rail engineers were scheduled to undertake essential track work between London Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22 days from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August 2026. This closure would mean that services normally terminating at Charing Cross would be diverted to London Victoria, London Cannon Street, and London Blackfriars, with some services ending at London Bridge. Ticket acceptance on London Underground and London Buses would be in place to support passengers.

Transport for London (TfL) Updates

Updates were expected from Transport for London (TfL) regarding bus service performance monitoring in Bexley. The report for the fourth quarter of 2025-26 indicated performance results for various bus routes, with specific attention to poorly performing routes such as the 96 and 229. TfL was also consulting on a third phase of its proposed extension to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead. The consultation sought feedback on station design, construction methods, and the environmental and community impacts of the extension, with a closing date of 16 July 2026. The council's response to this consultation was to be available at the meeting.

Road Issues

Discussions were scheduled to cover several road-related matters. The development of a cycle network between Bexleyheath and Erith was a key item. An alternative alignment, rerouting via Arnsberg Way and Long Lane, was being recommended over the original alignment via Church Road due to spatial limitations and potential traffic congestion on Church Road. While the alternative route is shorter and follows natural desire lines, it presents challenges with the Long Lane bridge not meeting TfL's Cycle Route Quality Criteria (CRQC), requiring significant engineering works and Network Rail approval. The council's recommendation to progress the alternative alignment was based on its shorter distance and less disruptive traffic impacts compared to altering Church Road. Discussions on the preferred alignment between Bexleyheath Town Centre and Northumberland Heath had been paused until after the May elections, with design development focusing on the section between Northumberland Heath and Erith Town Centre.

Residential cycle parking units were being installed in agreed locations, funded by TfL. Cycle training for children and adults was continuing, though with a slight drop in attendees compared to normal levels, potentially due to a new national online booking system.

The provision of electric vehicle (EV) charging points was also on the agenda. The council had already introduced some on-street charge points and planned to install more, particularly in areas with limited off-street parking. Approximately 100 lamp column units and 70 in-ground units were already in operation, with plans for around 200 more lamp column units. Bexley had also successfully bid for government funding, alongside three other boroughs, for residential-based EV charging provision.

Highway maintenance and improvement schemes were to be reviewed, including a list of current schemes and roads scheduled for resurfacing. The council has a duty to maintain its approximately 570km of highway, with a policy for treating defects based on national guidance and risk assessment. In 2024/25, around 2,353m² of carriageway was repaired, addressing approximately 2,590 pothole defects. The planned maintenance programme is developed annually based on officer knowledge and condition data, with resurfaced roads protected from utility works for 2-3 years where possible. The Department for Transport (DfT) had allocated £1.55 million in baseline funding for Bexley for 2026/27, with potential for an additional £0.941 million based on meeting certain criteria.

Road safety data was to be presented, showing casualty levels from TfL data. The council has a duty under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to study accidents and implement preventative measures, including physical treatments, education, and publicity. This includes supporting sustainable travel to schools and managing a School Crossing Patrol service.

Finally, street works, which involve utility works on the public highway, were to be discussed. These are coordinated under the New Roads and Street Works Act and the London Permit Scheme. Thames Water had ongoing large mains replacement projects in the Northumberland Heath, Erith, and Sidcup areas, with the latter expected to take around 18 months to complete. Winter maintenance, including gritting operations, was also to be covered, with the council prepared for changing conditions and holding sufficient grit reserves.

The meeting was scheduled to include discussions on the appointment of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, apologies for absence, and the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 March 2026. Declarations of interests and dispensations, along with any items of late business, were also on the agenda.