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Commuters told to expect London train services and stations to be busier than usual

Commuters planning to get into work this week are being told to factor in disruption on London train routes from today.

Network Rail and Southeastern have told passengers that a queuing system will be used to enter Cannon Street station during busy periods, as Network Rail continues to rebuild London Bridge as part of the ongoing Thameslink Programme.

Passengers are also warned to check before travelling today, after weekend works meant trains would no longer stop at Waterloo as planned, and instead go to Blackfriars.

Commuters are being told to expect disruption. Stock image
Commuters are being told to expect disruption. Stock image

The latest round of the multi-billion pound scheme, which is due to be completed in 2018, is set to cost £12 million.

But despite fears of travel chaos this morning, commuters appeared to have heeded advice from train operators.

Carriages were quieter than normal during the morning rush with station platforms out of Kent also more empty than usual.

But another test is set for the commute home this evening.

At the busiest times, commuters will have to go through a queuing system in order to get on trains at Cannon Street.

Until this Saturday, there will be no Southeastern services to or from London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross.There will also be no trains at Blackfriars on Saturday, September 2.

Network Rail will use the time, when the railway is less busy than usual, to move the Charing Cross lines through London Bridge into a new position and open newly rebuilt platform 6, which will mean that more Charing Cross trains can stop at London Bridge.

It means there will be fewer Southeastern trains running to and from London. Those that do run will be much busier than usual and diverted to other London stations, including Victoria, Blackfriars and Cannon Street.

Plans to originally divert trains to Waterloo will now not go ahead, with trains heading to Blackfriars instead.

In a statement released yesterday, Ellie Burrows, Southeastern train services director, said: “We're now unable to run services to Waterloo as planned on Tuesday due to the major upgrade works.

"We have been instructed by Network Rail to run these trains to and from Blackfriars instead.

"Our passengers' tickets will be accepted on specific Tube and London buses to ensure a smooth onward journey.

"We will also have more Southeastern employees at stations to help our passengers.

"We would like to remind everyone to check before they travel and follow us on twitter @SE_railway and check our website for the latest information."


To see what the journey was like this morning, our reporter Ellis Stephenson live-tweeted his attempt to get to Charing Cross.

But there was minimal disruption, with quiet train platforms and services running on time.

We want to hear your experience. Tweet us @Kent_Online using the hashtag #KentRail.

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