Stop the reduction of peak time central line service from Epping, Theydon Bois and Debden.

Stop the reduction of peak time central line service from Epping, Theydon Bois and Debden.

The Issue

Without consultation Transport for London have announced a significant reduction in services at peak times between Epping to Debden.

The changes which will be introduced on 26th January 2020 will see a reduction in morning and evening peak services at Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping by two trains per hour.  

This will have a hugely negative effect on the already stretched tube service running at these stations which are in Epping Forest District. Usage of these stations is set to continue to grow in the coming years with new developments planned in the local area. At peak times thousands already use this service.  

In addition the loop services between Hainault and Woodford will be reduced to a shuttle service with reduced length trains adding to the congestion at Woodford in the mornings.

This decision taken by TFL is UNACCEPTABLE.  We are calling for a review of this decision. 

- Cllr Holly Whitbread, District Councillor for Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common Ward. 

avatar of the starter
Holly WhitbreadPetition StarterConservative County and District Councillor in Epping Forest, Essex.
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This petition had 10,097 supporters

The Issue

Without consultation Transport for London have announced a significant reduction in services at peak times between Epping to Debden.

The changes which will be introduced on 26th January 2020 will see a reduction in morning and evening peak services at Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping by two trains per hour.  

This will have a hugely negative effect on the already stretched tube service running at these stations which are in Epping Forest District. Usage of these stations is set to continue to grow in the coming years with new developments planned in the local area. At peak times thousands already use this service.  

In addition the loop services between Hainault and Woodford will be reduced to a shuttle service with reduced length trains adding to the congestion at Woodford in the mornings.

This decision taken by TFL is UNACCEPTABLE.  We are calling for a review of this decision. 

- Cllr Holly Whitbread, District Councillor for Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common Ward. 

avatar of the starter
Holly WhitbreadPetition StarterConservative County and District Councillor in Epping Forest, Essex.
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Responded
“Dear Petitioner Thank you for the petition submitted to the Change.org website about the changes to the Central line timetable. Transport for London (TfL) is investing £380m to upgrade Central line trains by replacing their motors, onboard computers, lighting and passenger information systems, as well as creating more space for wheelchair users. This work is essential in order to ensure that the Central line continues to operate reliably. As part of this programme, TfL will also install CCTV on all Central line trains, as part of their wider work to keep Londoners safe on our transport network. The scale of this upgrade programme means TfL is unable to make the necessary improvements to each train during overnight engineering hours and will need to operate with a slightly reduced fleet while these works are carried out. This is why TfL is introducing a new timetable on 26 January 2020. This will ensure all customers continue to receive a regular and reliable service, while enabling more trains on the busiest section of the Central line. The new timetable means there will be a small reduction in morning and evening peak services at Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping stations – from eleven to nine trains per hour at Debden, and ten down to eight at Epping. TfL and I do appreciate that this is disappointing for customers at these stations, and TfL has tried to minimise the scale of these reductions. TfL’s assessments show there will be sufficient capacity for all passengers to board the trains at these stations. As part of the new timetable, TfL will introduce a train service that acts as a shuttle between Woodford and Hainault, replacing some of the current eight car trains that operate between these stations with four car trains. As they do today, trains will continue to run approximately every 20 minutes, meaning trains will serve these stations as frequently as they do now. On average, trains between Woodford and Hainault run at just 15 per cent of their capacity during peak periods. Therefore, when there are four car trains, all customers will continue to be able to comfortably board the train. Currently three trains run from Hainault via Woodford through to central London each weekday morning, and these will continue as eight car trains under the new timetable. Despite operating with a slightly reduced fleet while these vital upgrade works are being carried out, TfL will be introducing the following increase in services on the busiest section of the Central line, between Leytonstone and White City: • Monday to Friday 06:00 - 07:00, from 15 to 18 trains per hour • Monday to Saturday 22:00 - 23:00 from 19 to 24 trains per hour • Sunday 15:15 -19:15 from 22 to 24 trains per hour These changes will benefit over 100,000 passengers each day, compared to about 15,000 passengers who will experience a reduction in train frequency, or are required to change trains at Hainault. TfL will continue to provide customers with further information about these changes ahead of the launch of the new timetable, via email updates and meet the Manager sessions at affected stations. TfL constantly reviews its timetables in order to deliver the best possible service for as many passengers as possible and will monitor the impact of these upcoming changes. Yours sincerely, Public Liaison Unit Greater London Authority”
Transport For London
Transport For London

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Petition created on 29 October 2019