Clapham High Street could gain direct overground routes to Victoria Station

Clapham High Street Station could gain direct services to Victoria and Lewisham once new trains arrive on the Southeastern network.

Local councillors and the Clapham Transport Users Group have been in discussions with Network Rail about the direct route once the current 'Networker' trains are replaced.

Clapham High Street lost its direct services to Victoria in December 2012 when the South London Line was withdrawn in favour of the London Overground to Clapham Junction.

A move which forced Clapham commuters onto the Northern Line, underground stations in Clapham have in the years since become dangerously congested and required crowd control measures to be enforced during peak hours as far south as Balham.

Trains from Victoria to Lewisham pass through Clapham High Street but are unable to stop because the Networker fleet is too long for the platforms.

Replacement of the Networker trains is now due and the new fleet will have Selective Door Opening (SDO), allowing Victoria-Lewisham-Dartford trains to stop at Clapham High Street. A journey to Victoria from Clapham High Street would become non-stop and take just eight minutes.

At the same time, councillors and the Clapham Transport Users Group are lobbying Network Rail to make Clapham High Street a 'South London Crosslink' hub by building new platforms.

As a South London Crosslink hub, Clapham High Street could host more trains and provide fast links to Herne Hill, West Dulwich and Bromley South - a route that currently necessitates Lambeth locals use cars or lengthy bus routes for cross borough school runs.

Network Rail is currently exploring funding potential and Lambeth Council has said it is strongly supportive of new services for Clapham High Street