Kingston Area Travellers' Association

Borough pensioners and disabled residents are to get an extension to their free travel benefits, it was revealed this week, to the delight of London's mayor.

From this week disabled Freedom Pass holders will be able to use the new London Overground Network, which includes services from Richmond on what was formerly known as the North London Line, free of charge at anytime, while older people will be entitled to free travel from 9am on weekdays instead of 9.30am.

Ken Livingstone, mayor of London, said he was absolutely delighted by the news, a statement welcomed by London Councils, the umbrella group representing the 33 London boroughs.

The battle for Waterloo continues now that four extra platforms at the station have been vacated by the Eurostar's move to King's Cross.

MPs Susan Kramer and Edward Davey announced a victory this July in the battle to allow South West Trains to use the extra platforms, which they believe will lead to a quicker, more efficient service for local commuters.

But wide press reports last week claimed that the future of the platforms was unsure and Conservative MP Ian Taylor announced he had tabled an early day motion asking the Government to convert the empty platforms for use on the South West Trains network.

 (follow link above to read the full story)