Another disappointing delay to the decision on the Victoria - Bellingham service

An email from TfL has arrived telling me that there's been another delay in a decision on the Crofton Park - Victoria service:



Dear All



In our previous email update on the joint TfL /London TravelWatch
South London Line study, we advised that the analysis of the five
short-listed options was due to be complete around mid March. I’m
writing to let you know that this work has taken longer than
previously anticipated and we are now estimating that the work will be
completed in May 2010.



The main reason for the additional time is that the timetabling
exercise has uncovered a range of problems with some of the options
and we want to investigate how to make these more viable.



We recognise that this will be disappointing to those who are keen to
find out the results of the work that we have been doing to evaluate
the short-listed mitigation options but we will schedule a meeting
once the study has been completed. We would also like to highlight
that the South London Line service is not due to be withdrawn until
2012, so there is still plenty of time to discuss options to mitigate
the impact of its removal.



As we have highlighted throughout the study, TfL currently has no
budget provision to fund any of the short-listed options. We are
currently exploring alternative funding options, which would seek to
bridge the gap between the expected costs of operation and current
projected revenue for the different options under consideration.
However in each case this would also require the support of and a
decision by DfT Ministers.



We will continue to keep you updated about when we will be able to
schedule a meeting to present and discuss the findings with you. As
previously indicated, we will circulate material in advance of the
meeting.