SENT ON BEHALF OF STEVE WHITE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
As we move into autumn, there is a great deal happening across our integrated railway. After a summer of successful major engineering work at Charing Cross and exceptionally challenging weather conditions, our focus remains firmly on continuing to deliver a reliable service for customers while continuing to invest in the services, stations and infrastructure our communities rely on.
We know that reliability remains the most important measure of our railway for customers and we continue to operate a low cancellation railway. However, the driest spring since 1893 and this summer’s unprecedented and prolonged drought have created new challenges on parts of our network due to exceptionally dry ground conditions which has resulted in the imposition of speed restrictions in some areas. Our teams are working to progressively remove these as the ground conditions improve. You can find out more here. https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/dry-soil-conditions
Next month our Autumn timetable commences – from Sunday 11 October we are making a number of changes to services. These changes build on the Autumn timetable for 2025, which saw much improved punctuality. Making these changes will help with both the speed restrictions currently on the network and the low adhesion we experience every autumn by helping to prevent trains arriving late at key junctions, thereby triggering congestion, and allows you to better plan your journey. You can find out more by visiting the Southeastern website here. https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/autumn
We are also preparing for one of the most significant uplifts to our timetable in recent years. From December, we will introduce more frequent services across south-east London, Kent and East Sussex and better connections on a number of routes.
This update sets out more about those changes, as well as some of the work taking place across our stations, infrastructure and communities as we continue to improve the railway.
Performance Update
During Period 6, we continued to operate a low cancellation railway with 97.8% of trains running, an improvement of 0.6% on the previous period. This places us firmly amongst the best large operators nationally (see table below). 79.5% of our trains arrived within three minutes of their scheduled arrival time, a reduction from 82.1% in Period 5. We recognise that we have work to do to get this figure to our desired target of 90%, starting with the removal of the temporary speed restrictions described above.
Delivering a Better Railway
December 2026 Timetable Change
We are pleased to confirm a significant package of timetable improvements from 13 December, bringing more frequent services, faster journeys and better connections for customers across south-east London, Kent and East Sussex.
These changes reflect what customers and stakeholders have been telling us about the services their communities need. Over the past year, we have heard from MPs, local authorities, community groups and customers about priorities including better frequency, faster journeys to London, more capacity at busy times and stronger connections with TFL services. We have taken that feedback into account alongside passenger demand in developing the new timetable.
Among the improvements are:
Tunbridge Wells and west Kent: Half-hourly semi-fast services between Charing Cross and Tunbridge Wells during weekday off-peak periods and on Saturdays, providing more frequent journeys for Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
Maidstone and mid-Kent: The restoration of half-hourly services between Victoria and Ashford via Maidstone East throughout the day, alongside additional direct services to Charing Cross meaning that for much of the day Maidstone will have four trains an hour.
Ashford and the Tonbridge line: An additional 16:58 evening peak service from Cannon Street to Ashford via Tonbridge and Headcorn, providing extra capacity at one of the busiest times of the day.
Hastings and East Sussex: A new weekday express service between Hastings and Charing Cross, cutting journey times to London Bridge by 14 minutes in the morning peak for customers from Hastings, Battle and Tunbridge Wells.
Sheppey: Two trains an hour throughout the day, seven days a week, on the Sheerness branch – the best timetable on the line for 30 years – with better connections at Sittingbourne.
South-east London: One of the biggest improvements to our Metro timetable in recent years, with almost all routes operating a ‘turn up and go’ service of least four trains an hour during the daytime from Monday to Saturday and better connections with the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood and Woolwich Arsenal.
Bexleyheath line: Up to six trains an hour, including half-hourly direct services to Charing Cross throughout the day.
Victoria to Orpington: Increased to four trains an hour on Saturdays.
We know how important good rail connections are to the communities we serve providing more opportunities to travel for our customers and ,in turn, supporting economic growth and social mobility. We are grateful to the many stakeholders who have continued to make the case for improvements in their areas. While we cannot always deliver the changes that are requested, this timetable demonstrates that we are listening, planning for growth, and, where we can, responding to the priorities you raise with us.
Lewisham Station Improvements
We know that moving through Lewisham station – one of the busiest stations on our network – can be difficult, particularly during the busiest times of the day. Crowding around Platform 1 and the ticket gates has been a particular challenge, so we have, in partnership with TFL, made changes to create more space and make it easier and safer for customers to move through the station.
The Platform 1 ticket gates have been relocated to the upper DLR interchange concourse, moving queues away from the platform edge and helping to better separate customers entering and leaving the station from those waiting for trains.
The changes also include four new ticket gates, upgraded CCTV and security systems, improved signage and changes to the station layout. Early feedback from our station team has been positive, with the new layout helping to reduce crowding.
We recognise that these improvements do not address all of the challenges at Lewisham. We continue to work closely with Lewisham Council and other partners on longer-term opportunities to improve access and capacity at this important interchange.
Improved Accessibility at Orpington
At Orpington Station we have installed a new accessibility ramp, providing improved access to the lower level of the station car park.
Accessibility Ramp Cropped
In addition, a further nine accessible parking bays have been added within the lower-level car park. The feedback received so far has been positive, as the improvements make access between the station and car park much easier for passengers requiring step-free access.
Improved Station Entrance at Hayes
At Hayes station we have improved the customer entrance by refurbishing the canopy, applying fresh paint and installing new station signage to create a warmer and friendlier feel for passengers on arrival.
Independent Coffee Shops Begin Serving Passengers
Three new independent coffee shops have opened at stations on our network over the last month. The Flying Bean Café is now open for business at Gillingham Station, their first site on the Southeastern network. Drift Coffee is also serving commuters and the wider local community at Plumstead Station, whilst mobile coffee business Blush and Brew is now trading at Borough Green & Wrotham Station from a beautifully converted coffee truck.
These three SMEs reflect the changing face of our railway and bring something different to the passenger experience at each station.
Supporting Communities
Schoolchildren Enjoy Free Travel to London to Visit the Bayeux Tapestry
On September 15, pupils from Mulberry Baird Primary School in Hastings became the first to take advantage of our free rail ticket giveaway to visit the Bayeux Tapestry in London. Our ambition is to give away 1,066 free rail tickets to local children so they can visit the historic artefact on display at the British Museum.
After the children departed for London, we also unveiled our latest named train, King Harold II, in front of an audience of key local stakeholders including MP for Hastings and Rye Helena Dollimore, local councillors, members of English Heritage and local rail community groups. The four-car Class 375 train carries specially commissioned artwork depicting events leading up to the 1066 Battle of Hastings.
The train also features the new GBR I South Eastern logo, revealing for the first time the new name for Southeastern under Great British Railways.
The Resident Platform at Folkestone West
At Folkestone West Station we have continued to connect professional artists with members of the community by showcasing a unique collection of local artwork. On August 20, two further bronze sculptures were unveiled as part of The Resident Platform, a project showcasing the work of local Folkestone artists.
As well as helping us connect with the local communities we serve, the project also helps improve the look and feel of Folkestone West station, making it more vibrant and reflective of the local area.
We look forward to unveiling more pieces of art at the station over the coming weeks.
New Map Boards at Hollingbourne
Kent Community Rail Partnership launched their North Down Way map boards at Hollingbourne, Harrietsham, Lenham and Charing stations in August as part of a wider project sponsored by Farming in Protected Landscapes. The station boards feature a map of the local North Down Way along with a QR code giving passengers the chance to download the map on to their phone.
Looking Ahead
There will be a busy few months ahead. Our immediate focus is on delivering the best service we can through the autumn season, before introducing the improvements in our new timetable from 13 December.
Alongside this, we will continue to focus on delivering a safer and better railway and delivering the investment and improvements that matter most to our customers and communities.
Thank You
Finally, thank you for your continued engagement, feedback, advocacy and support. Whether by supporting the case for investment in our new metro fleet, helping communicate planned closures, connecting us with local community partners or sharing local passenger insight, you can help us deliver better outcomes across the network.
If there are individuals, organisations or local opportunities you think we should be engaging with, please let us know.
Yours sincerely,
Steve White
Managing Director