In many ways it is so very bad that passengers using Maryland, Forest Gate and Manor Park are being shafted in this way. Being told to use local buses is not a solution - not just because of the extended journey times but also because passengers are being financially penalised through no fault of their own. OK, so the bus 'only' costs £1.50, but even that amount to someone on a restricted income (eg: low income, state benefits) can 'break the bank'. To my eyes it is wrong that passengers should be expected to pay anything extra. They should be able to collect two free bus saver tickets - one for their required bus journey and one as compensation for the inconvenience.
In times past these stations had a 20 minute interval off-peak service. Even reverting to this would be better than simply closing the station and leaving passengers in the lurch / to fend for themselves. The 345's have very good acceleration, which should also help.
It will not endear the people who live to the east of London to the Elizabeth line if they find that at weekends they have nothing! Its bad enough that the bay at Ilford has been sacrificed (OK a different issue, but still something that disbenefits the route)
This is correct. In the past this would have been possible, however, the GA Sunday service is being speeded up from this weekend so the capacity is lost for the slow trains to stop at these stations when there is a 2 track railway.
So if track works sees the two track section extending all the way to Gidea Park, does it mean that local trains will not call at any intermediate stations? Or will they just call at the busier station - Ilford and Romford?
btw, Ilford is my local station.