Thameslink Chaos Hits South London Over New Year
Passengers on Thameslink trains in south London face major disruptions from New Year’s Eve through the first week of January. Planned engineering works combined with train crew shortages mean delays, cancellations, and route changes are looming.
No Thameslink Trains to London Victoria on New Year’s Eve and Day
On Sunday, December 31, and Monday, January 1, no Thameslink services will run to or from London Victoria due to essential engineering work. If you’re travelling from Orpington or Sevenoaks, your train will be diverted to start and end at London Blackfriars instead.
Services from Blackfriars will run from 9:30am each day as usual. If you need to get to Victoria, use the Circle and District Lines on the London Underground until 10am.
Reduced Services via Tulse Hill Until January 5
- Late nights (Monday-Thursday): The 10:37pm St Albans to Sutton and 10:54pm Luton to Sutton trains will finish early at Herne Hill.
- Early mornings (Tuesday-Friday): The 5:46am and 5:49am Sutton to St Albans trains will start from Elephant & Castle.
- Overnight (all week): Bedford to Three Bridges/Brighton night trains will divert non-stop via London Bridge.
Affected stations include Elephant & Castle, Herne Hill, Tulse Hill, Streatham, Mitcham Eastfields, Mitcham Junction, Hackbridge, Carshalton, Sutton, London Bridge, Norwood Junction, East Croydon, South Croydon, Purley, Coulsdon South, and Merstham.
Thameslink Urges Passengers to Plan Ahead
Thameslink advises travellers to check their journeys before setting out, especially on New Year’s Sunday afternoon when no overnight trains will run. Passengers should use London buses to cover affected station routes in south London during disruptions.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by these disruptions,” said Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director. “Train crew shortages and recent illnesses have contributed to these service changes.”
Stay updated with travel news and plan extra time for your journeys over the busy New Year period.
