better trains campaign
Posted by Claire Ward, MP for Watford, at 10:32, Fri 13 February 2009:
Press release from Claire Ward MP for Watford
Immediate release
13th February 2009
(pictures available on request)
MP condemns "appalling train services."
Watford MP, Claire Ward , has launched a "better trains campaign" after being bombarded with letters and emails from disgruntled commuters complaining about the "appalling train services" from Watford Junction, Bushey and Kings Langley stations.
The complaints to the MP started after timetable changes were introduced by the train operator London Midland in December. There were serious disruption of services over Christmas and New Year which were blamed on the weather and power failures on overhead lines. But passengers say the situation is getting worse with frequent cancellations, late arrivals, overcrowded trains and prolonged journey times.
Ms Ward has had a team of supporters distributing a questionnaire to commuters over the last two weeks to support her call for better train services. She said: "It's already clear that passengers using Watford Junction in particular are extremely angry at the delays and the problems caused by the changes to the timetable. I'm hoping that my new survey will give me ammunition to go back to London Midland and demand major improvements in the services they are providing."
The MP met with London Midland Managing Director Steven Banaghan before Christmas to discuss the first batch of complaints from constituents.
"I made it clear that the current service was not good enough resulting in long delays between peak hour trains and overcrowding. At the time Mr Banaghan agreed to look for ways to compensate for the timetable failings including the possibility of extra pick-ups at Watford by train services which currently do not stop at Watford Junction.
"Furthermore, Mr Banaghan agreed to review the timetable as a whole to ensure that services are as regular as possible. In addition he promised to also review the way it allocates its station staff so that if something does go wrong, station staff will be able to give passengers updates and advice.
Ms Ward says she would encourage as many people as possible to write or email her with their experiences of the services being provided at Watford Junction.
They can print and return the survey form which is available on her website www.claire-ward.org.uk,
email her at wardc@parliament.uk
or write to her at Freepost ANG 9909, 270 St Albans Road, Watford, WD24 6BR
ends
Claire Ward can be contacted directly at her Westminster office tel: 020 7219 4910 or through her press officer, Geoff O'Connell Tel: 01923 676446 Mobile: 07905761956
Comments
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Posted by Manoj Kapur, 18:59, Sat 14 February 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
The services are appaling. The train get frequently cancelled from either direction. I normally take the train from Watford Junction to Euston there are frequent delays and signalling failures etc.Weather causes more disruption. Return journeys are just as aweful. The Virgin trains do not stop at peak times at watford junction. Something seriously needs to be done on this.