London Mayor Khan held up in bid for Southeastern metro

The London Mayoral ambition to bring South London suburban services under Transport for London control has hit a stumbling block over what is known as the Southeastern Metro.

Sadiq Khan is keen to expand his influence beyond the Overground, but the government appears to be in favour of handing over responsibility for the ‘Metro’ to Great British Railways when the current Southeastern franchise expires (no later than October 17 2027).

Although it continues to trade under the Southeastern brand, responsibility for services out of Victoria, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Blackfriars has been under government control since October 2021.