Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP have welcomed news that a Government consultation on the future of local rail services will be extended due to high public interest.
The consultation, asks for views on the future of the “Thameslink” franchise, and will directly affect railway services at Bowes Park, Alexandra Palace, Hornsey, Harringay and Finsbury Park. Due to high public demand, the consultation has now been extended until September 14th.
Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, has been leading efforts to ensure that local stations do not miss out on £6 billion of Government money. The investment will be welcome news for London rail users, but there is a danger that some stations in the borough may miss out due to shorter platforms. Lynne has written to thousands of local households informing them of the consultation, and will be meeting with Transport Ministers to discuss the changes.
Lynne comments, “Local people are very concerned that stations like Hornsey and Harringay could miss out on vital investment in future services.”
“I urge all local rail users to respond to our consultation at my website. I will pass on your views to Ministers when I meet with them after the consultation closes.”
Richard Wilson, Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats comments, “I am delighted that the Government has chosen to extend this consultation. Our campaign to raise awareness of the consultation is clearly working, and I’m glad that the Government has responded to this.”
Lynne Featherstone 
There are still many unresolved issues regarding the future services on the Great Northern Line from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, and on to Bowes Park, before these two lines pass into Barnet at New Southgate, an unbelievably scruffy station, and Palmers Green, a nice local station in Enfield. These services need to be transferred to Transport for London supervision, like the Gospel Oak – Barking and North London lines. These lines are so much better than comparable lines run by First Capital Connect, the train operator that has one of the worst reputations in the UK. (Remember Lynne the LibDems were going to stop this nonsense.) Thameslink services will be of limited benefit to Haringey, but there could be fast services from Ally Pally and Finsbury Park which continue across London. The local trains, now 35 years old but serviceable, will continue to Moorgate, and these must be given a major overhaul and life extension as similar trains have been refurbished elsewhere. This is a cost saving that we can live with provided these trains are modernised and carefully maintained, and Hornsey depot has a reputation for doing a good job. I was concerned at the mis-information given about Thameslink and new trains at the Transport Forum on 1 July at the Civic Centre.