Battle for Waterloo: A Commonsense Victory!

Domestic Trains at Vacating Eurostar Platforms in Waterloo Station by December 2008

Over the past two years, Local Liberal Democrat MPs have been battling hard to ensure that local trains, in order to relieve congestion, will use the vacating Eurostar platforms at Waterloo Station.

During a Westminster Hall Debate, the Government guaranteed that from December 2008 the platforms would be used for domestic Trains.

Liberal Democrat MPs Edward Davey and Susan Kramer have fought the Government over the last two years over the future of the Eurostar platforms.

First, they had to convince the Government that the idea of building shops and office space at Waterloo Station was fundamentally flawed and that the opportunity could not be missed in solving over crowding. The Second battle was to ensure that the platforms where to be used to improve congestion for local train services. Yet the last stage and on going battle is making sure that the Government take the decisions now and put a plan together for the future so that this opportunity isn’t lost, with early investment for the platforms to be accessed by existing trains, and then some longer term investment for a total redesign of Waterloo.

During the Westminster Hall Debate, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Tom Harris, outlined the interim proposal. The short-term solution would see South West Trains Windsor Line services to use the international platforms and then for other existing train services to “shuffle” across the remaining platforms, which can accommodate 10 carriages rather than the current 8 carriages. This short term solution would provide immediate relief to over crowding of local train services, yet with passenger numbers on South West Trains estimated to rise by 23% - if not more - long term solutions are being consider by Network Rails comprehensive redevelopment plan to be released in the spring and to be put in place by 2015.

Following the Westminster Hall Debate Edward Davey MP Said,
“This is tremendous news for Waterloo Train users. Not only has the Government finally confirmed that the vacating Eurostar platforms will be used for local trains but also that it will happen by December 2008 and that planning is going to be put in place, along with the all important funding.

"I, along with my Liberal Democrat Colleague for Richmond Park, Susan Kramer have fought hard over the last few years to gain such guarantees that minister gave during the debate.

"The opportunity that the vacating platforms at Waterloo represent an opportunity that cannot be missed. I cannot overstate its importance – this is opportunity cannot be missed for the people who use the trains, to tackle over crowding, for the sake of the environment and the continual growth of greater London.

"If this succeeds, it will provide a first class service rather than the cattle carriages that we currently endure at premium prices. I along with my colleagues will be meeting the minister to gain a greater understanding of the detailed plans that he outlined during the debate and ensure that this opportunity isn’t missed.”