Train service improvements to Bromley North welcomed

Better train connections to Bromley North in the evening rush hour for passengers travelling from Grove Park are being welcomed.

It follows strong representations to SouthEastern Trains about the problem of connections at Grove Park, with the agreement for a 20-minute service in the evening peak being reached.

Cllr Nicholas Bennett JP, Bromley Council's Executive Member for Transport, Highways and Road Safety said: “At the last meeting of our twice-yearly Public Transport Liaison meeting between Councillors and train, bus and taxi operators, members raised the problem of poor connections between trains arriving at Grove Park in the evening rush hour and the half-hourly service to Bromley North.

"In the morning, there is a 20 minute, three trains an hour service. For the rest of the day there is a half-hourly service. One train operates the service which takes five minutes between the two termini with one stop at Sundridge Park Station. It was therefore possible to increase the frequency to three round journeys an hour.

“As a regular user of the service myself I am delighted that our efforts have borne fruit. This is good news for Bromley residents who commute to London Bridge and the City.”

Passengers who use the Bromley South line may benefit from changes being made to services from Victoria to Orpington via Herne Hill, with trains in both directions running at an even interval 15-minute frequency at peak times. This will give a better spread of trains at the busiest times.

Passengers on the 08.00 Beckenham Junction to Blackfriars service could see crowding reduced with the train being lengthened from four to six carriages. SouthEastern have also outlined good news for passengers who use Orpington, Petts Wood and Shortlands stations. A second women’s toilet has been installed at Orpington station. At Petts Wood station, four new lifts have been installed as part of the Access for All programme delivered in partnership with Network Rail. Two accessible toilets have also been installed, along with step-free access to a waiting room and new customer information screens at both station entrances, making it easier to see train times.

At Shortlands Station, it will become easier to use for customers with mobility issues following the installation of three new lifts. A new footbridge and staircase will also be installed as part of this £8.5 million project which started in January and is due to complete in late spring 2025.