Station upgrades along Greenwich line revealed by MP

Woolwich and Greenwich MP Matt Pennycook has received information on funding for improvement work at stations along the Greenwich line after lobbying for improvements. Money was allocated to be spent at stations after the mess that was made of introducing services in 2018. If you recall, Thameslink failed to train enough drivers and thus services started late and below supposed frequencies for many months.

Having lobbied hard back in 2019 for @TLRailUK's Passenger Benefit Fund to be opened to bids for specific proposals on Southeastern-managed stations on the Greenwich Line, I'm pleased we’ve secured £220k for a range of improvements across six stations. pic.twitter.com/66ppd8KST0

— Matthew Pennycook MP (@mtpennycook) March 11, 2021

In a response to a request for information, it was revealed that stations between Greenwich and Plumstead would see:

Greenwich – £30,000. Toilet improvements.

Maze Hill – £50,000. Customer Information System.

Westcombe Park – £50,000. Landscaping.

Charlton – £30,000. Garden improvements, waiting shelter on platform 2 and shelter improvement on platform 1.

Woolwich Arsenal – £30,000. New shelter on platform 2.

Plumstead – £30,000. Station painted in heritage colours.

Woolwich Dockyard sees no money as Thameslink trains do not stop there. Initially we were told this was due to a lack of 12-car platforms, though only 8-car Thameslink trains have ever run on the line. Despite failing to stop at Woolwich Dockyard, Erith and Belvedere stations Thameslink trains are slower between Dartford and London Bridge than all-stopping Southeastern trains.

Other stations along the line will see money but are not included in the reply. Personally at the brand new Abbey Wood I’d like something to cover the vast expanses of blank facades at street level.

The design almost pays little attention to integration and views from shopping areas either side of the line.

Of all the awards Plumstead is the most intriguing. Plans to remove heritage features have previously aroused controversy at the station, so this could be a bit of a sop.

Thameslink aim to complete all projects by September 2021.