TfL makes formal application to run Northern City Line

TfL’s proposals cover services between Moorgate in the City of London, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City

 
Transport for London has formally applied to the Department for Transport to take over services on the Northern City Line between Moorgate and Hertfordshire, which are currently operated by Govia Thameslink Railway under the Great Northern brand.

The plan was confirmed by London transport commissioner Andy Lord in his report to this week’s TfL board meeting.

He said: “On September 30, we submitted our outline business case for the devolution of the Great Northern ‘Inners’ to the DfT… so that we can improve the quality of service, enhance customer experience, and deliver a transport service that aligns with the GLA, the government, and our own shared priorities for housing and planning.”

TfL’s proposals cover services between Moorgate in the City of London, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City, including Crews Hill station, which was last month designated as the location of one of the 12 new towns proposed in the government’s New Towns Taskforce report. The report proposed up to 20,000 new homes for the area.

To support this growth, the taskforce said rail capacity would need to be improved. Crews Hill is currently the tenth least-used station in Greater London and served by an infrequent timetable.

We have a proven track record of making rail services better and more reliable, leading to economic benefits

“Train frequency at Crews Hill would need to be increased beyond the current two trains per hour off-peak and four trains per hour during peak times,” said the taskforce. “The government would need to explore options with the GLA and Transport for London, including the potential to devolve the Great Northern line.”

The proposal has been welcomed by TfL. Lucinda Turner, TfL’s director of spatial planning, said: “Improved public transport connections are key to fully unlocking this opportunity, and it reinforces the case for devolving responsibility for London rail services to TfL.

“We have a proven track record of making rail services better and more reliable, leading to economic benefits and improving services for millions of commuters and unlocking thousands of new homes.”

If approved, the devolution would mirror the 2015 transfer of some Greater Anglia commuter services into the London Overground network. TfL aims to secure “approval in principle” from transport secretary Heidi Alexander before the end of 2025. It is understood the fleet of dual-voltage Class 717 electric multiple units currently used on the line would be retained.

Northern City Line services between Finsbury Park and Moorgate formed part of the London Underground network until 1975 when the route was transferred to British Rail.

 
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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