Commuters have been venting their frustration after rail operator Southern's new reduced timetable came into effect, and now Bromley Council are doing the same.

As of Monday, the train provider has cut 341 trains until further notice in a move described by deputy leader of Bromley Council Colin Smith as "deplorable".

And he has gone further still, questioning the legality of the decision and suggesting a handover to Southeastern would yield better results.

He said: "Whilst the service may well have been unpredictable in Southern’s own words, at least there was a service.

"Perhaps it is time for Southern to consider handing over their franchise to South Eastern who are at least trying to serve their customers and are managing the crumbling Network Rail infrastructure they have been sourced to work with.”

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Commuters are currently being asked to use alternative routes between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction as Southern is not operating any services from Monday to Friday.

Routes between West Norwood and Tulse Hill and Crystal Palace, Birkbeck and Beckenham Junction are affected as well as services between Elmers End and London Bridge.

Cllr Smith added: "If this proposal is allowed to go ahead, Beckenham’s commuters will end up travelling on already overcrowded alternatives piling on the discomfort and inconvenience, with the additional time factor that this brings.

"Although a Saturday service is still operating, it is the weekday service that is most valued by commuters and whilst we welcome confirmation that tickets will be accepted on Southeastern trains, buses and trams, we are calling on Southern to rethink urgently and reinstate these vital services which are valued by many.

"Residents can be assured that this a matter that we are not going to sit back and simply watch and we will be discussing this imminently with local MPs Bob Stewart and Jim Dowd."