London and South East
Click on name to go direct to section: Area / Local Divisions / Branch news / Current campaigns / Current consultations / What's on / London and South East rail user groups / Community Rail Partnerships / Heritage Railways / Train Operating Company liaison / Passenger representative groups / Other regional and sub-national authorities / Branch contacts / Neighbouring branches
Bedfordshire (now Luton, Bedford, and Central Bedfordshire unitary authorities), south Essex (including Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock unitary authorities), Hertfordshire, Kent (including Medway unitary authority), Surrey, East and West Sussex (other than south-west Sussex, which is overseen by Wessex branch) City of Brighton & Hove unitary authority, and Greater London.
Because of its size, the regional branch also has several local, largely county-based, divisions.
See the LSE dashboard for all quarterly branch newsletters since July 2010.
See too details of our local Branch Twitter feed.
Click Rail investment planning for information on Network Rail, the ORR and the DfT planning and funding a bigger better railway.
~ DfT: 'Call for evidence' on Light Rail - how to better use and implement light rail and other rapid transit solutions in cities and towns. Closes Sunday 19 May 2019.
~ DfT: 'Call for evidence' to Williams Rail Review. Closes Friday 31 May.
~ ORR: Market Review into rail compensation claims companies. Published 20 November 2018 but no specific closing date.
Comments, responding to the consultation questions asked, to Branch Vice-Chairman roger.blake at railfuture.org.uk
View or download our responses to recent and previous consultations in Consultation responses.
The 2019 AGM will be held after lunch on Saturday 27th April 2019. Preceded by open morning session on rail access to London's airports, with guest speakers Steve Costello from Heathrow Southern Railway and Transport for London's Aviation Strategy Lead Shamal Ratnayaka. Doors open 10.30 for 11.00 start.
Our venue as last year will be Wesley's Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU. It's a short walk south from Old Street station, and is also well-served by bus routes.
Click to view or download the Minutes of the 2018 AGM.
Nominations for Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and up to six other members of the branch committee closed; nomination forms, returnable by Saturday 19th January 2019 as instructed on the form, viewable here and downloadable here (420kb).
Branch Standing Orders can be viewed here, or downloaded here (626Kb).
Railfuture was at the London Festival of Railway Modelling on Saturday 23/Sunday 24 March.
The original station at Alexandra Palace. Photo by Prickett and Ellis - click the link for the story of its conversion to community use and historic photos.
The 2018 AGM was held on Saturday 28 April 2018. The open morning meeting had a Light Rail theme and included speakers on a Lower Thames Crossing KenEx Thames Transit (view the presentation here), on Cambridge Connect, and from UK Tram (view the presentation here). Now view or download the Agenda, and all reports for 2017 including the Minutes of the 2017 AGM.
The 2017 AGM was held on Saturday 29 April. View or download (908Kb) the Agenda, and all reports for 2016 including the Minutes of the 2016 AGM.
It was preceded by an open meeting for members and guests, with guest speakers from Heathrow Southern Railway (view the presentation here) and Windsor Link Railway (view the presentation here), and a presentation from Network Rail on Western Rail Access to Heathrow.
Venue: University of Westminster's Cavendish campus, 115 New Cavendish Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6UW.
The 2016 Branch AGM was held in central London on 23 April 2016, again at the University of London's International Hall, Lansdowne Terrace, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AS, a short walk from Russell Square station.
In anticipation of elections on 5 May for a new Mayor of London, and for seats on the Greater London Assembly, we published a Rail Manifesto for London.
The 2015 AGM was held on 25 April at the University of London's International Hall, Lansdowne Terrace, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AS.
Our morning session featured the Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies and due to report on its recommendations later in summer 2015, and the three short-listed options for expanding capacity at either Heathrow (two options) or Gatwick. Our guest speakers were:
Simon Earles, Head of Surface Access Strategy for Heathrow Airport,
Steven Costello, Director for Heathrow Hub Ltd, and
Hugh Sumner, Senior Transport Advisor for Gatwick Airport.
The 2014 AGM was held on 26 April 2014. It was preceded by an open morning meeting on the themes of the value of heritage lines to their localities and developing links between heritage lines and the classic network. Speakers were Railfuture member Chris Austin OBE Secretary to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail which in July 2013 published a report 'the Value of Heritage Railways', and Graham Baldwin General Manager of Kent & East Sussex Railway celebrating their 40th anniversary. The Annual General Meeting followed after lunch.
The 2013 AGM was held on 20 April 2013. The morning branch members' meeting heard speakers David Blackall, Deputy Director, Thameslink Programme, DfT; Andrew Hutton, Lead Development Manager, London Bridge station, Network Rail; Councillor Mark Gettleson, Southwark Council. The Annual General Meeting followed after lunch.
All other known rail user groups in our regional branch area can be viewed here.
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Area
The regional branch covers London and most of the Home Counties:Bedfordshire (now Luton, Bedford, and Central Bedfordshire unitary authorities), south Essex (including Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock unitary authorities), Hertfordshire, Kent (including Medway unitary authority), Surrey, East and West Sussex (other than south-west Sussex, which is overseen by Wessex branch) City of Brighton & Hove unitary authority, and Greater London.
Because of its size, the regional branch also has several local, largely county-based, divisions.
Local Divisions
Just click on the green links, here and below, for further information including details of Division meetings open to all:-- Eastern - south Essex and north-east & east London
- Kent - including south-east London
- London Metro - TfL zonal area plus Mayor's 'rail boundary'.
- Herts and Beds - Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
- Surrey - including south-west London
- Sussex and Coastway - East Sussex, Brighton & Hove, West Sussex, and South Downs National Park
Branch news
Click above to view or download our quarterly branch newsletter railse - most recent issue no.143 March 2019 - and also our NEW monthly branch e-newsletter inter-railse - see no.10 April 2019. Email roger.blake at railfuture.org.uk to subscribe.See the LSE dashboard for all quarterly branch newsletters since July 2010.
See too details of our local Branch Twitter feed.
Current campaigns
Our primary campaigns are for:- Uckfield - Lewes reinstating rail link to Bridge the gap between Uckfield and Lewes and enable residents of the Weald to travel to reach jobs and education in Brighton to support economic growth and spread prosperity in the county, create an additional route between London and the South Coast to help relieve the Brighton Main Line, and pave the way for Thameslink 2. Development of a garden village in the area served by the line would both meet the need for new homes to satisfy Brighton's growing employment market, and justify reinstating the railway between Uckfield and Lewes to serve it.
- Marshlink improved services, with quicker connections at Ashford International station with HS1 services (secured since May and December 2018 timetable changes), new track connection with HS1 at Ashford International (initially for potential cross-platform connections with London-bound HS1 services), and comprehensive route upgrade for two hourly all-day/every-day services (an all-stations stopping service and a limited-stop service) including line-speed increases, Rye passing loop extended to create dynamic loop, and then through high-speed services between London St. Pancras International and Rye, Hastings, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Bexhill-on-Sea, and Eastbourne.
- A new Thameslink 2 metro route between East Croydon, Docklands and North London via tunnel between East Croydon and Addiscombe, the Hayes branch, and tunnel between Lewisham, Canary Wharf and Stratford, connecting to the West Anglia and Great Eastern main lines.
Click Rail investment planning for information on Network Rail, the ORR and the DfT planning and funding a bigger better railway.
Current consultations
~ DfT: Extending Pay-As-You-Go ticketing. Closes Wednesday 1 May.~ DfT: 'Call for evidence' on Light Rail - how to better use and implement light rail and other rapid transit solutions in cities and towns. Closes Sunday 19 May 2019.
~ DfT: 'Call for evidence' to Williams Rail Review. Closes Friday 31 May.
~ ORR: Market Review into rail compensation claims companies. Published 20 November 2018 but no specific closing date.
Comments, responding to the consultation questions asked, to Branch Vice-Chairman roger.blake at railfuture.org.uk
View or download our responses to recent and previous consultations in Consultation responses.
What's on
Railfuture and other local, regional and national events, including conferences, and some key rail dates.The 2019 AGM will be held after lunch on Saturday 27th April 2019. Preceded by open morning session on rail access to London's airports, with guest speakers Steve Costello from Heathrow Southern Railway and Transport for London's Aviation Strategy Lead Shamal Ratnayaka. Doors open 10.30 for 11.00 start.
Our venue as last year will be Wesley's Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU. It's a short walk south from Old Street station, and is also well-served by bus routes.
Click to view or download the Minutes of the 2018 AGM.
Nominations for Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and up to six other members of the branch committee closed; nomination forms, returnable by Saturday 19th January 2019 as instructed on the form, viewable here and downloadable here (420kb).
Branch Standing Orders can be viewed here, or downloaded here (626Kb).
The original station at Alexandra Palace. Photo by Prickett and Ellis - click the link for the story of its conversion to community use and historic photos.
The 2018 AGM was held on Saturday 28 April 2018. The open morning meeting had a Light Rail theme and included speakers on a Lower Thames Crossing KenEx Thames Transit (view the presentation here), on Cambridge Connect, and from UK Tram (view the presentation here). Now view or download the Agenda, and all reports for 2017 including the Minutes of the 2017 AGM.
The 2017 AGM was held on Saturday 29 April. View or download (908Kb) the Agenda, and all reports for 2016 including the Minutes of the 2016 AGM.
It was preceded by an open meeting for members and guests, with guest speakers from Heathrow Southern Railway (view the presentation here) and Windsor Link Railway (view the presentation here), and a presentation from Network Rail on Western Rail Access to Heathrow.
Venue: University of Westminster's Cavendish campus, 115 New Cavendish Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6UW.
The 2016 Branch AGM was held in central London on 23 April 2016, again at the University of London's International Hall, Lansdowne Terrace, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AS, a short walk from Russell Square station.
In anticipation of elections on 5 May for a new Mayor of London, and for seats on the Greater London Assembly, we published a Rail Manifesto for London.
The 2015 AGM was held on 25 April at the University of London's International Hall, Lansdowne Terrace, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AS.
Our morning session featured the Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies and due to report on its recommendations later in summer 2015, and the three short-listed options for expanding capacity at either Heathrow (two options) or Gatwick. Our guest speakers were:
Simon Earles, Head of Surface Access Strategy for Heathrow Airport,
Steven Costello, Director for Heathrow Hub Ltd, and
Hugh Sumner, Senior Transport Advisor for Gatwick Airport.
The 2014 AGM was held on 26 April 2014. It was preceded by an open morning meeting on the themes of the value of heritage lines to their localities and developing links between heritage lines and the classic network. Speakers were Railfuture member Chris Austin OBE Secretary to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail which in July 2013 published a report 'the Value of Heritage Railways', and Graham Baldwin General Manager of Kent & East Sussex Railway celebrating their 40th anniversary. The Annual General Meeting followed after lunch.
The 2013 AGM was held on 20 April 2013. The morning branch members' meeting heard speakers David Blackall, Deputy Director, Thameslink Programme, DfT; Andrew Hutton, Lead Development Manager, London Bridge station, Network Rail; Councillor Mark Gettleson, Southwark Council. The Annual General Meeting followed after lunch.
L and SE rail user groups
includes the following 22 groups affiliated to Railfuture, with benefits including access to Railfuture's Fighting Fund.All other known rail user groups in our regional branch area can be viewed here.
Community Rail Partnerships and Station Adoption Groups
in and around the London and South East region including:- Abbey Line CRP - 2nd prize in 2017 Community Rail Awards
- Bedford - St. Albans CRP - NEW! Inaugural meeting held, official launch coming soon in 2019.
- Essex & South Suffolk CRP - three lines in our regional branch area
- Kent CRP - 1st and 2nd prizes in 2017 Community Rail Awards - view press release.
- Marston Vale CRP
- Sussex CRP - now seven lines in our regional branch area
- West Anglia CRP - 1st prize in 2017 Community Rail Awards - view press release.
Heritage Railways
in and around the London and South East region, including those with mainline interchange:- Bluebell Railway into East Grinstead since March 2013
- Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway at Princes Risborough from 15 August 2018
- East Kent Railway at Shepherdswell
- Epping Ongar Railway at Epping
- Rother Valley Railway at Robertsbridge with link under construction to join Kent & East Sussex Railway at Bodiam
- Lavender Line on a future reopened mainline between Uckfield and Lewes!
- Mid-Hants Railway The Watercress Line at Alton
- Spa Valley Railway at Eridge since March 2011
Train Operating Company liaison - Railfuture representatives
London & South East operators:- Chiltern Railways
- c2c
- Docklands Light Railway
- Gatwick Express (see GTR)
- Govia Thameslink Railway
- Great Northern (see GTR)
- Great Western Railway
- Greater Anglia
- Heathrow Connect (see TfL Rail)
- Heathrow Express (see GWR)
- London Northwestern Railway (see WMT)
- London Overground
- London Trams
- London Underground
- Southern (see GTR)
- Southeastern
- South Western Railway
- Thameslink (see GTR)
- TfL Rail
- West Midlands Trains
Passenger representative groups
- London TravelWatch 'the voice of London's transport users' whose geographical remit extends beyond the GLA boundary - see map of LTW area
- Transport Focus 'putting passengers first'
Other regional and sub-national authorities
- Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
- Transport for London (TfL)
- Transport for the South East (TfSE) - see three presentations from January 2019 Transport Forum first Working Group on draft Transport Strategy 2050: workshop, intro to TfSE, summary.
Branch contacts
- Branch Chairman: Keith Dyall
- Branch Vice-Chairman: roger.blake at railfuture.org.uk
- Branch Liaison Director: chris.page at railfuture.org.uk
- Branch newsletters - quarterly railse and monthly inter-railse - editorial group: londonandsoutheast at railfuture.org.uk
Neighbouring branches
- East Anglia (and older website at East Anglia)
- East Midlands
- Thames Valley
- Wessex
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