Southern Rail should have an East Croydon service taken away as a result of the continuing drivers’ strikes and overtime ban, according to a new report.

Network Rail director Chris Gibb published the report on Thursday, June 22 in which he states that Southern Rail "cannot possibly work" under its current system.

The publication gives details as to what issues are currently being faced by Southern Rail customers and how these can be fixed.

The report states that elements of Southern Rail have been under strain due to “unreliable infrastructure, a timetable that is very tight and with overcrowded peak services, some key stations that are overcrowded, depots that are full and for historic reasons are in the wrong place, and people that are involved in informal and formal industrial action.”

It goes on to recommended the transfer of the East Croydon to Milton Keynes service (which is currently suspended) to London Overground/Transport for London.

The report says “the growth in train services and passenger volume has exceeded the capacity at certain stations. The most extreme cases of this in the Plan are Victoria (2020), Gatwick Airport (2021), East Croydon (2024-2028) and Clapham Junction (2031).”

Mr Gibb later in the report outlines his plan for “changes that will improve performance and passenger experience on the Thameslink/Southern route.”

For all Thameslink East Croydon trains via London Bridge it would aim to have all Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) driver training completed and a timetable in place for May 20.

For East Croydon station it would aim to start works in 2022 for three platforms on fast lines and two platforms on slow lines.