The MP for Wimbledon has claimed victory over a campaign to save the Wimbledon Thameslink service.
This morning the Government instructed Network Rail to ensure the service, which runs in a loop from Mitcham Eastfields via Sutton, Wimbledon and Tooting before continuing into central London via Blackfriars and out to St Albans and Luton remains intact .
It was proposed this route should terminate at Blackfriars which would have forced passengers to disembark and change trains cutting off direct routes from Wimbledon and Sutton to north London, St Pancras International and further afield to St Albans and Luton.
Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon and transport minister, has been campaigning against proposed cuts to the service for the last six years.
He said: “This would cause considerable inconvenience and disruption all because that would allow Network Rail some marginal seconds in efficiency gain.
“I immediately met then Lord Adonis who was rail minister and since then met every rail minister.
“And last November I organised for a delegation to meet the current rail minister Simon Burns.
“Last July there was a station wide campaign to inform local people of the dangers to their service. Many people followed my request and contributed to the Consultation.
“Undoubtedly this impressed the Minister as it ws one of the biggest responses seen.
“I am delighted by this announcement which is great news for Wimbledon commuters who use the Loop and great news for Wimbledon as it underlines our importance as a local transport hub.
"The daily disruption would have been tremendous and unnecessary so I am glad this will now not happen “
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