"Its Official: Trains not Shops!"

Edward Davey celebrates early win in the Battle for Waterloo

21.10.05

Months of campaigning by local Lib Dem MPs Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton), Susan Kramer (Richmond Park) and Vince Cable (Twickenham) have paid off as the Government promises that vacant EuroStar platforms will be used to improve train services rather than provide more shops and offices.

In April 2007 Eurostar will move from Waterloo to St Pancras, freeing up five platforms at Waterloo International Terminal. The Government was considering turning the area into retail and office space, but following pressure from local MPs it has agreed that the platforms will be retained for domestic rail passenger use.

Edward Davey MP for Kingston and Surbiton said:

“This is excellent news. We have been campaigning hard on this issue and it has finally paid off.

“However, the Battle has only just begun. We now need to make sure that these platforms are used for South West Trains rather than Kent services.

“I have written to the Transport Minister Derek Twigg MP and demanded another meeting as soon as possible. We must not lose momentum on this. It is the right decision for the commuters and the community of Kingston.

“Potential benefits from 5 extra platforms include fewer delays outside Waterloo, especially in the peak, faster journey times, more services and less overcrowding.

“Local commuters have put up with too many delays, too many cancellations and too much overcrowding for far too long.  This is a historic opportunity to change all that. It must not be missed!”.’