Network Rail has announced that proposals for an upgraded Norwood Junction station to allow trains to run more frequently have received 94% support from passengers and residents.
Network Rail's proposal would see the track and platforms remodelled to allow more trains to run through an stop in the future.
Currently, stopping and fast trains share the same tracks, meaning delays to slow services have a knock-on impact on fast services and vice versa.
The current platforms at the station are also too narrow and short to allow 12 car trains to stop there.
Step-Free Access
The redevelopment would also allow Norwood Junction to become step-free for the first time.
Network Rail presented the proposals to upgrade the station at public information sessions in summer 2019.
94% of people attending these sessions said they agree or strongly agree with the plans. 2% disagreed with the scheme, while 4% were undecided.
239 people participated in the information events; 144 people responded online.
Key themes raised by attendees were:
- Support for the proposal (83)
- Suggestions for station design and platform layout (38)
- Improving train services (36)
- Impact on passengers? (21)
- Requests for more information (17)
What did the officials say?
John Halsall, Managing Director of Network Rail's Southern region, said:
“I'm pleased that our proposals for Norwood Junction station have been well received by passengers and local people. The proposals are a key part of our long terms plans to unblock the railway bottleneck in the Croydon area to reduce delays and overcrowding on the Brighton Main Line.
“Taking onboard feedback from local people and passengers, we are continuing to develop those plans in detail and look forward to speaking with the public again at our next round of consultation this summer.”
Councillor Stuart King, Cabinet Lead for Environment and Transport at Croydon Council, said:
“We are supportive of Network Rail's efforts to improve their service for our residents and I'm pleased to see so many people engaging with the survey. Improvements to the station layout and tracks are essential if we are to offer residents a more reliable and inclusive service, including more stopping services at Norwood Junction.”
Sarah Jones, Member of Parliament for Croydon Central, said:
“I've long supported this important upgrade that I know will be of great help to the thousands of people who use Norwood Junction station every day. Investment in improving accessibility at this vital transport hub is particularly welcome and I look forward to the positive impact that the completion of this project will have for residents.”
Steve Reed, Member of Parliament for Croydon North said:
“I'm delighted Norwood Junction is at long last getting the investment it needs. Everyone living locally will welcome the improved public transport links to the rest of London and beyond. Disabled passengers and mums with pushchairs have long campaigned for the station to become step-free so I'm particularly excited this will now happen.”
Steve O'Connell, the London Assembly Member for Croydon and Sutton, said:
“It's fantastic news that Norwood Junction Station is getting the upgrade that it needs and that local residents deserve. A great many people have been campaigning for these changes for a long time and they will welcome this crucial part of improving reliability and increasing capacity of the rail network in Croydon.”
Govia Thameslink Railway Infrastructure Director Keith Jipps said:
“With train punctuality improving and Southern and Thameslink recording some of their best-ever passenger satisfaction results, we're delighted to see such overwhelming support for this project which will improve services further.”
Stephen Miles, Principal Planner, Transport for London, said:
“Network Rail's proposal to upgrade Norwood Junction station complements TfL's plans for transforming rail services in south London. We have been working closely with Network Rail in developing these plans and will continue to do so.”
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East Croydon could be redeveloped with extra platforms and track layouts and a flyover or underpass to reduce congestion and bottleneck. And London Overground could extend to East Croydon allowing passengers to change from London Overground to Thameslink & Southern services, Buses and Tramlink.
Good news in the long term, but coupled with the redevelopment of East Croydon track layout will mean a fair bit of disruption for a while. Needs to be done, though.