Kingston could lose its link to Waterloo via Richmond if new plans for Crossrail 2 are given the thumbs up.

The London Assembly’s transport committee called for Network Rail to make clear exactly what “trade-offs” would be made to existing routes if the multi-million pound plans were to progress.

Kingston currently has two routes into Waterloo – one via Wimbledon and another via a Richmond loop around – but one of these could face the chop.

Axeing the Richmond leg would mean commuters travelling to stations to Richmond or further would have to change at Twickenham.

Transport for London and Network Rail’s consultation ends tomorrow.

A report released this week favours a ‘regional’ option that would link Kingston, Surbiton, Motspur Park and Wimbledon to the new high speed and high capacity connected network .

It would whizz commuters up to Chelsea, Victoria, Tottenham Court Road and Euston avoiding Waterloo.

The ‘Metro’ option would not include Kingston and would start the south west London leg from Wimbledon.

London Assembly member Stephen Knight said: “I think it’s clear that there may be some trade-offs so they need to come forward with exactly what these tradeoffs are. South West Trains needs to be consulted given that it will impact their services.”

A spokesman from Network Rail said: “London’s railways are already the busiest and most congested in the country, with many main lines already operating at, or close to, capacity.

“The findings from Network Rail and Transport for London's current consultation on Crossrail 2 will influence the shape of the scheme including the potential route the scheme may follow.”

 

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