Yesterday Theresa May and other Thames Valley MPs met with the Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander, to discuss FGW’s appalling service to Maidenhead and Twyford, and press for Government action.
Theresa explained, “I’ve made clear to the Government that the train service is not good enough and have pressed for improvements. I’m pleased to say the campaign has had some success.
There is now a 40 point recovery plan agreed by FGW and Network Rail following the Secretary of State’s meetings with them. This should improve the running of the trains and mean fewer delays.
I shall be meeting with them in the near future to discuss this plan and see exactly how it will deliver better services to Maidenhead and Twyford and the branch lines.
There will also be a new timetable in May 2007. It is a great victory for all FGW passengers that FGW have finally accepted the failure of the December 2006 timetable. I understand that services will be added and capacity increased across the network. But until we see the detail we won’t know how far it will go in meeting passengers’ complaints. Rest assured I will keep up the pressure for more fast and semi-fast services and increased capacity for Maidenhead and Twyford.
The Secretary of State also made clear that if any train operating company were to show that it could not maintain its franchise requirements he would have no hesitation in using the powers available to him.
This is a small but significant victory. Action is being taken. Now we need to see that turned into real improvements in services. I will be working to ensure that the recovery plan and new timetable make a difference for Maidenhead and Twyford, and if not, I shall be returning to the Secretary of State for further action.”
