Orpington MP Jo Johnson

Orpington MP calls for fast trains

Robin Cottle, Reporter Thursday, July 26, 2012
5:27 PM

Orpington’s absence of fast trains forced MP Jo Johnson to raise the issue in parliament.

He put his point to Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening when discussing the prospect of £700 million worth of investment in London and the south-east network to reduce overcrowding.

Mr Johnson said: “Will the minister look at Southeastern’s routes to Orpington, which amazingly for a station of its size, has no fast trains during peak hours?

“It is absurd that commuters are unable to access fast trains when they need them most.”

Mrs Greening said: “I know a lot of MPs have real concerns about this issue, and rightly so.”

Following David Cameron’s visit in May, the MP wrote to the PM stating: “You may have experienced the frustration of hard-working commuters at the lack of a fast service.”