Demand from Wandsworth commuters for rush hour rail services is set to grow faster than in any other part of south London over the next 12 years.

A Network Rail study of south London train services found that lines are already running at full capacity in the morning rush hour. Services between Clapham Junction and Balham have no room for additional passengers while rush hour trains stopping at Wandsworth Common are often full.

Individual journeys from Wandsworth into central London will grow by 20 per cent by 2019, according to the Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) - an additional 6,000 trips a day on weekday mornings.

The study backs plans to extend the East London Line to Clapham Junction by 2011 - replacing the current Victoria to London Bridge service. It also includes measures to tackle congestion at Clapham Junction and Balham.

The plan recommends extended 10-car trains on lines from Croydon to Victoria with platform extensions at Battersea Park.

While Network Rail is aiming to boost capacity by 25 per cent by 2019 the company concedes that overall demand is likely to grow at the same rate over this period.

Wandsworth's executive member for planning and transportation Guy Senior said: "Both the Government and Network Rail have got to do more if they are to bring any relief to Wandsworth commuters.

"The growth in demand here is faster than anywhere else in this part of London. It shows just how much local people depend on reliable rail services. South London has been starved of investment for too long.

"The current proposals barely keep pace with rising demand throughout the network. We need longer trains and action to remove current bottlenecks at Victoria, Clapham Junction and Croydon which are limiting the number of trains that can run.

"The support for the East London Line extension is welcome but there will need to be a sustained programme of investment throughout the south London network if people in this part of the capital are not to be let down once again."

Since the Network Rail strategy was announced the Government has given the go ahead to a programme of upgrades to the Thameslink line. Work will be completed by 2015 and will provide 24 12-carriage trains an hour through central London.

The council will now prepare a detailed response to the RUS consultation.

  • What do you think of rail services? Are they up to scratch or is more investment needed? Post your comments below.