News on the New Cross Gate Overground Night Service
Below is the information I've received on the extension of the 'Night Tube' network to the London Overground. While it will stop/start from New Cross Gate on Friday/Saturday nights - which is welcome - I've asked about Brockley and beyond. But well done to Len Duvall AM and Mayor Khan.
Details from TFL:
Dear Stakeholder,
Following the huge success of Night Tube services which started last year, I’m writing to let you know that London Overground night services will start operating between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction stations on Friday and Saturday nights in December. The service will then be extended to Highbury & Islington next year.
In line with our approach for the Night Tube, all stations along the route will be staffed at all times while trains are running, with CCTV, modern lighting and help points throughout. In addition we are working with the British Transport Police who are supportive of our plans and will provide a suitable police presence and response.
Due to Crossrail work taking place at Whitechapel station, London Overground night services will initially not call there until works are complete. Night-time services are expected to call at Whitechapel from summer 2018.
The route between New Cross Gate and Highbury & Islington has been chosen because it provides a new cross-river option for nighttime journeys in the east of the Capital, and because of the strong nighttime economy in the areas it serves. Furthermore, the tracks are managed by TfL (rather than Network Rail) enabling 24 hour services to operate at weekends on this section of the network.
The route serves a culturally diverse swathe of London rich in museums, galleries, restaurants, bars and night spots. As with the Night Tube, it will help create more jobs, and boost the local economy. For those who work shifts in East London’s thriving hospitality and service sectors and live in the outer London zones, London Overground night services will substantially reduce travel times, improving quality of life.
Working with our neighbours
We are aware there may be concerns about noise from some of our neighbours in some areas. We will ensure that any issues raised are dealt with swiftly, effectively and sensitively. Anyone who raises a noise concern is guaranteed a personal response and a speedy investigation of the issue.
As part of our preparation for the launch of the service, we have established a specialist working group that incorporates our Night Tube noise experts, to effectively quantify and then prioritise mitigation for the issues that can lead to noise. This group brings together track engineers, noise and vibration specialists, track maintenance experts and our community relations teams to provide a comprehensive and consistent approach.
Expanding night-time services in London
Connecting with the Night Tube network at both Canada Water for the Jubilee line and Highbury & Islington on the Victoria line, the ‘Night Overground’ will transform night time journeys for thousands of people. Night Tube services are already playing a key role in opening up London’s night-time economy, with the network predicted to provide a boost of £77m a year and supporting around 2,000 permanent jobs.
In the future, night services will eventually be extended to parts of the Metropolitan, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines once modernisation programmes are complete in 2023.
Tenth anniversary
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the London Overground. Since TfL took over suburban rail routes from Silverlink in 2007 and created London Overground, passenger numbers on the routes have increased six fold and the network has become one of the most popular and reliable railways anywhere in the country.
Stations have been brought up to modern standards, with CCTV, better security, a turn up and go service for disabled Londoners and staff present at every station at all times.