Following the proposal from Network Rail to axe direct services to Cannon Street and the intervention of MP Michael Foster, the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Andrew Adonis, has confirmed that no decision will be taken until after 2012.

In a letter to the MP he has given assurances that Network Rail should be following the Department’s ‘New Approach to Appraisal’ which makes clear that social inclusion, regeneration and housing must be taken into account in determining service provision. 

The minister went on in his letter to acknowledge that the number of trains using Cannon Street via London Bridge would be reduced from 25 per hour to 20 per hour to accommodate the enhanced Thames Link service but that ‘it does not follow from that combination of facts that the Hastings train necessarily has to be one of the five to be withdrawn’.

The minister says that the Department will not make a decision until nearer 2014 when the new franchise takes effect.  Work on the new specification will not start until 2012. 

Michael Foster said that he was encouraged by the minister’s response and was pressing Network Rail to take account of the minister’s comments and to withdraw their proposal.  They had clearly not taken account of the Government’s requirement to regard social inclusion, regeneration and housing within the criteria.