Brown era could herald go-ahead for Thameslink

Gordon Brown's accession is strongly rumoured to mean that the long-awaited Thameslink project could finally be given the funding it needs for work to begin.

With London's over-worked transport infrastructure now threatening to limit economic growth in the city, it is believed that both Crossrail and Thameslink could get the go-ahead as part of a raft of "good news" announcements at the start of his premiership.

While most attention has been focused on the Crossrail project, Thameslink is arguably just as important and will lead to major benefits for Brockley commuters.

At a comparatively modest cost of £3 billion, the Thameslink extension would involve upgrading the current Thameslink route, reducing the bottlenecks that restrict the number of trains that can travel along the south-north route through London Bridge and Kings Cross.

For Brockley residents, this means that the crumbling London Bridge station would be rebuilt (see the image above) providing better facilities and pedestrian access. More importantly, 3 more platforms would be converted to allow a dramatic increase in "through" services to the north and a reduction in those infuriating occasions when trains hang around outside London Bridge during rush hour for no apparent reason. A new bus station will also replace the grotty overhang that currently serves as an interchange.

Planning permission was granted last year. The scheme was originally known as Thameslink 2000 - the year originally envisaged for completion.