The Departmart of/for/against Transport have released a consultation document for the new 'Thameside' franchise due to commence 29th May 2011

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-09/consultation.pdf

The document envisages 12 car trains on all routes by December 2011 (12 car platforms are alreay programmed for Tilbury services outwith the new franchise, although new (secondhand?) trains to run these services will be the resonsibility of the new franchise)

Other points include:

Additional stops at West Ham (resignalling is already planed to allow this outwith the new franchise, this will be done (just) in time for the olympics).

Possible later mainline Saturday service
Possible off-peak 4 tph Dagenham Dock, Rainham, Purfleet
Possible later/earlier services via Tilbury
Continuation of Tilbury riverside bus 'subject to consultation'

Yea.. hopefully get some later trains in the evening through tilbury. A 12:20 or possibly a 12:50 (highly unlikely) would be welcome!!!

Plans for new operators to run both of south Essex’s rail franchises have been postponed. The previous Govt. was seeking new operators for train services from Shoebury to Fenchurch St. and Southend Vic. to Liverpool St. Theresa Villiers, Transport Secretary, said the Govt. had cancelled the bidding competition to run the services until a review of the whole rail franchising system was carried out by the end of the year. This means National Express will continue to run both franchises for longer, until the autumn of 2011.