It now seems virtually certain that the West Croydon/Crystal Palace leg of the line will launch on the 23^rd May with the New Cross to Dalston section opening from the 4^th April.  On the 18^th January, the construction team on the ELL handed the line over to TfL. Now it’s down to TfL to complete the work of training staff, testing trains and making sure signalling systems work. 

Travel times northwards to Canada water from Sydenham are as follows:

Forest Hill            - 2 1/2 minutes

Honor Oak Park   - 4 1/2 minutes

Brockley              - 7 1/2 minutes

New Cross Gate  - 11 1/2 minutes

Surrey Quays     - 14 1/2 minutes

Canada Water      16 1/2 minutes

As to what else is happening on our local railway system:

• TfL has taken over local stations with a commitment to staff stations from “first to last train”.
• At the end of 2010 no more direct trains to Charing Cross.
• Oyster PAYG introduced 2^nd January 2010.
• May 23 2010 - major change to services:
• ELL commences (8 trains per hour (tph) from Dalston to Crystal P/ West Croydon)
• Off-peak and evening services to and from London Bridge reduced to 4 tph
• Loop line to Victoria starts early
• 6 tph to West Croydon
• 6 tph service to East Croydon with interchange at Norwood Junction
• By end of 2010, all platforms along line extended to carry 10/12 carriage trains.