Lambeth’s Back on Track campaign in Streatham set this as its number one priority and councillors and officers have been in discussion with TfL about making it happen.
Cabinet Member for Growth & Jobs, Cllr Jack Hopkins, who has been leading the Back on Track campaign with support from Streatham MP Chuka Umunna, has repeatedly challenged Southern and SouthEastern train operators to raise their game or hand over to TfL.
Cllr Hopkins said: “This is brilliant news. Since the first meeting last January we have been lobbying for Streatham – writing and meeting with Transport for London, Members of Parliament, London Assembly Members, the Mayor and the Transport minister.
“The standard of service on these lines is just not good enough and commuters are completely fed up. The hard work is not over but we are getting there.”
TfL, the Mayor of London and the DfT announced this morning that TfL would take over control of suburban rail services as current franchises come up for renewal – possibly as early as 2018.
It will mean more trains, greater capacity and a streamlining of fares and travel information.
The Streatham Back on Track campaign, launched at a public meeting in January 2015, listed ten major priorities to improve the transport situation in Streatham and wider South London.
The highest demand from the public was for TfL to take over rail services, to echo the success of the London Overground service through east London.
Cllr Hopkins said: “We are making great progress in improving the transport situation in Streatham – our buses are getting cleaner, we are close to agreeing a new crossing near the dangerous St Leonard’s junction on the A23, 20mph limits are coming in to place across the borough and safer cycle routes are being implemented with the help of TfL.
“We will continue working hard on this campaign in order to great Streatham, and South London in general, more in line with the rest of the capital when it comes to easy and accessible transport.”
Find out more
To see the latest updates on the Streatham Back On Track campaign please visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/StreathamTransport.
