New train service from Ealing to Wandsworth launches in May
Members of passengers' organisation the West London Line are celebrating the success of a year long campaign to replace a "ghost bus" with a new train service running between Ealing Broadway and Wandsworth Town.
The new service from Southern Trains will begin on May 24, and at first will offer just one train in each direction on weekdays.
The service will initially stop at Shepherds Bush and Kensington Olympia, but in future, it's hoped it will also add stops at Fulham's local stations West Brompton and Imperial Wharf.
Mark Balaam, Chairman of the West London Line Group, says:
" We wish the service every success in its role as the first regular local orbital rail link for many years between south and west London.
" This would seem to be directly in line with current policies encouraging orbital rail travel across Greater London. "
Up till now, the so-called ghost bus has been running in this route only on Tuesday and with virtually no passengers.
Hammersmith and Fulham council says it was allegedly commissioned by the Department for Transport so they could claim that a service still operates between the two destinations. The empty coach apparently allowed officials to argue that the train line had remained open and thus avoid a public consultation over closing unused sections of track.
Now the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment has welcomed the move, but says the next step must be for the trains to become more frequent and stop at more stations.
Cllr Nicholas Botterill says: " This is a victory for common sense and will help ease pressure on our busy transport network. Linking Olympia and Shepherds Bush to Ealing Broadway is a quick win which will benefit the whole of west London.
" While this is clearly a move in the right direction, the next step will be for the service to also call at Clapham High Street, Imperial Wharf, West Brompton and Acton Main Line as soon as possible."
Southern Trains also runs a regular service. alongside London Overground between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction, stopping at West Brompton and the new Imperial Wharf Station.
March 25, 2010
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