The Anonymous Widower

An Improved South London Line Is Proposed

In the June 2016 Edition of Modern Railways in an article entitled Turning South London Orange.

One of the proposals is to create an improved South London Line from Victoria and Clapham Junction via Brixton and Denmark Hill to Peckham Rye.

This map from carto.metro.free.fr shows the lines from Battersea to Peckham.

An Improved South London Line

You have to remember that when the current South London Line was created, there was criticism from various groups.

• Some objected to the loss of a direct service to Victoria.
• Some felt the line should call at Brixton.
• Some felt there should be an interchange at Loughborough Junction station.

Hopefully, the proposal for an improved South London Line will address some of these issues.

Between Wandsworth Road and Peckham Rye stations, the line is effectively two pairs of tracks, with the Overground using the Southern pair.

The Northern pair of tracks that are currently used by the Southeastern lines into Victoria only have platforms at Denmark Hill and Peckham Rye.

The Centre for London is proposing a redesign of the South London Line that could include.

• New Platforms at Wandsworth Road, Clapham High Street and Brixton.
• I would assume that the new Battersea station is part of the proposal, as this would connect the line to the Northern Line.
• Renaming of Clapham High Street to Clapham North to indicate its close relationship with the Underground station.
• Perhaps even putting the Overground on the Northern pair of tracks, as this would simplify the rebuild of Brixton station.
• An increase in frequency on both pairs of lines to six trains per hour.

I think as a start it is a good plan, but I do feel that something much better could emerge to improve the connectivity across South and South East London.

There are some questions that need to be answered.

• Where would the trains go past Peckham Rye?
• What would be the frequency of the Victoria to Orpington service?
• Would the restoration of a shuttle between London Bridge and v’ictoria be a good idea?
• Could Victoria be a terminus for the London Overground?
• Should the South London Line be connected to Thameslink at Loughborough Junction?

I suspect a lot of the answers are in the passenger statistics.

May 26, 2016 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Brixton Station, Centre for London June 2016 Proposals, London Overground, South London Line