Rail Service Improvements Delayed until 2005

3.27.00pm GMT Mon 10th Mar 2003

The Strategic Rail Authority has told MP Vincent Cable that hoped for improvements in the suburban rail services in the borough will now have to wait until 2005 because of inadequate power supply.

The SRA has promised extra funding so that SW Trains can bring in additional evening and Sunday services but the big problem is that the new trains coming into service, which replace slam door trains, require more power and there currently isn't enough power to meet the growing demand for additional peak hour trains.

Vincent Cable said: "this is very frustrating and represents a major failure by the people managing the rail systems. No one seems to have realised that the new trains needed more power than the system can handle."

"New trains are currently sitting in sidings unused until power supply is installed".

Vincent Cable had also challenged the SRA to explain why SW Trains were being allowed to close station toilets, as in Whitton.

The SRA has confessed that there was no commitment to provide toilets in the franchise agreement with SW Trains.

Vincent Cable said: "This is another - small but important - example of the failures arising form the fragmentation of "

"the rail system. No one is responsible for maintaining station toilets, so they are closed. The travelling public, as always, comes last".