Concerns new Southeastern timetable is leaving station platforms 'dangerously overcrowded'

The county's rail operator has apologised to passengers after its services were "disrupted, overcrowded or unreliable" over the past two weeks.

Commuters have faced nightmare journeys into work following changes to Southeastern's train timetable in north Kent.

The new timetable, which came into effect after Christmas, has seen the number of trains stopping at Albany Park, Bexley, cut by half, a severe reduction in the number of trains going to key terminus stations Charing Cross and Cannon Street and an apparent increase in the number of passengers being forced to go via London Bridge.

It has caused mass disruption in recent weeks and passengers are now warning platforms are fast becoming "dangerously overcrowded".

Helen Blake, from Bexley, said her commute is very unpleasant and cannot understand the rail companies' decision to fix something "which was not broken".

"It used to be fine. But since January's new timetable they have cut the amount of trains," Helen said.

"A lot of the trains don't stop at Albany Park now. Some of the trains to Bexleyheath don't go to Charing Cross.

"They seem to be trying to make London Bridge a special hub station. If trains don't go to Charing Cross you have to change at London Bridge.

'It is very unpleasant - every night. It does not make for a very enjoyable commute.'

"On my way home I used to get the tube from Baker Street to London Bridge and catch the train to Bexley but I can't even get on the platform at that time. It is 10 to 12 people deep. It is just an accident waiting to happen.

"People are shoving and arguing. Telling each other to move down. It is very unpleasant - every night. It does not make for a very enjoyable commute. If you are planning to meet people on the train like I used to, there is no chance.

"I now have to run to get the tube so I can catch the same train 10 minutes earlier from Charing Cross.

"I had started to go from Bexley to Abbey Wood and change there to get the Elizabeth Line. But they've now stopped that so I can't do that either.

"Southeastern seem to be trying to do too much at London Bridge. It's going backwards. It was fine before they changed the timetables. It worked. I could always get on a train. "

"There are a lot more people on the trains now as more people seem to be going back to the office rather than spending money heating their homes during the cost of living crisis. It's ridiculous. "

The operator, which was taken over by the government last year, has previously defended the lack of consultation on the new timetable.

It explained the status quo was "not sustainable" amid fears the railway would buckle under the strain and so "doing nothing was not an option".

However, Louie French, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has demanded urgent meetings with Southeastern and the Rail Minister.

He wants to see an immediate reversal of the changes, which he has described as a "kick in the teeth" for commuters.

"Given Southeastern stated that the main benefit of the new timetable was to improve reliability and punctuality, the significant disruption and subsequent overcrowding in the first weeks of the new timetable is a real kick in the teeth for local commuters," he said.

"I am particularly concerned for the impact on Albany Park station passengers who have seen a near 50 per cent reduction in services which often results in long waits when a service is cancelled."

And he is urging passengers to claim delay repay compensation if their train is delayed by 15 minutes or more.

He is also asking commuters to complete a questionnaire he can take with him to his next meeting to ensure the impact of the disruption is fully represented.

A spokesperson for Southeastern and Network Rail said: “We’re sorry to all our customers who have had disrupted or uncomfortable journeys recently. It wasn’t the start we wanted or had planned for, nor what our customers deserve.

"Together, Southeastern and Network Rail are committed to providing a low-cancellation, on-time railway and we’re working around the clock to improve our infrastructure, our trains and our timetable.

"We believe that over the next few weeks our customers will see a steady improvement.”