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| 'Landmark' ruling for Thameslink | 'Landmark' ruling for Thameslink |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A "landmark" decision has been reached on a £3.5bn congestion-beating rail project for London, rail bosses said. | A "landmark" decision has been reached on a £3.5bn congestion-beating rail project for London, rail bosses said. |
| Network Rail (NR) has received planning permission and legal powers for the long-delayed Thameslink service. | Network Rail (NR) has received planning permission and legal powers for the long-delayed Thameslink service. |
| However, funding for the scheme still requires government approval before work can begin. | However, funding for the scheme still requires government approval before work can begin. |
| Thameslink will double capacity and increase from 51 to 172 the number of stations used by north-south services through central London. | Thameslink will double capacity and increase from 51 to 172 the number of stations used by north-south services through central London. |
| Overdue step | Overdue step |
| NR chief executive John Armitt described the decision as a landmark. | NR chief executive John Armitt described the decision as a landmark. |
| "We are now one step closer to getting the green light for an essential congestion-beating rail project on one of the busiest parts of our network," he said. | "We are now one step closer to getting the green light for an essential congestion-beating rail project on one of the busiest parts of our network," he said. |
| The project will take an estimated seven years to build and passengers should begin to see the benefits within the first three years. | The project will take an estimated seven years to build and passengers should begin to see the benefits within the first three years. |
| Thameslink route map | Thameslink route map |
| Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said the announcement was a "much-needed and long-overdue step". | Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said the announcement was a "much-needed and long-overdue step". |
| He said: "Overcrowding is already a big issue during the peak on these routes, with only 42% of commuters on these routes telling us they are satisfied with the room to sit and stand." | He said: "Overcrowding is already a big issue during the peak on these routes, with only 42% of commuters on these routes telling us they are satisfied with the room to sit and stand." |
| Michael Snyder, of City of London, said: "We have been campaigning long and hard for these Thameslink improvements and we are absolutely delighted to welcome the scheme." | Michael Snyder, of City of London, said: "We have been campaigning long and hard for these Thameslink improvements and we are absolutely delighted to welcome the scheme." |
| There will be major improvements to London Bridge, Blackfriars and Farringdon stations, including platform extensions to cater for longer trains. | There will be major improvements to London Bridge, Blackfriars and Farringdon stations, including platform extensions to cater for longer trains. |
| Peak-time trains will increase from eight an hour to as many as 24, using 12-carriage services rather than the present eight. | Peak-time trains will increase from eight an hour to as many as 24, using 12-carriage services rather than the present eight. |
| A Department for Transport spokesman said a decision on Thameslink funding would be announced by next summer at the latest. | A Department for Transport spokesman said a decision on Thameslink funding would be announced by next summer at the latest. |
| The project is part of the First Capital Connect franchise, which is operated by FirstGroup Plc. |