New services between stations on the line to Bedford and south-east London and Kent

The upside of the loss of the three terminating ‘bay’ platforms (numbers 1-3) at Blackfriars station on 22 March 2009 is the introduction from that date of some great new services between north Thameslink route stations and south-east London and Kent.

Southeastern services from Kent and south-east London that would normally terminate at Blackfriars will instead continue across London, using the train ‘paths’ along which the services from Moorgate and Barbican previously ran. This will link Kent and south-east London with City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras International (perfect for Eurostar or a quick change for services to Luton Airport!). They will continue as far as Kentish Town in most cases but also as far as St Albans and Bedford in others. South of Blackfriars these trains will be operated by Southeastern and north they will be operated by First Capital Connect – but you won’t notice the change as a passenger.

Find out more about the new timetable (from 22 March 2009).