Campaigning to save rail services in West Berkshire and beyond.

The Government have given the new rail franchise for our area to First Great Western (FGW) .  The Government are trying to provide an improved intercity service at the expense of smaller branch lines and to the disadvantage of rail users in the Newbury area. 

Richard Benyon has been actively campaigning against the proposed new timetable which will see a reduced service from Paddington to Newbury and a further reduced service on the Reading to Bedwyn Line.

Working with other MP’s he has put your concerns at a meeting with the Minister responsible, Derek Twigg MP.  He has held discussions with the Managing Director of First Great Western and has represented the concerns of the constituents in every way he can. 

Update 25th July 2008

Further success for rail users campaign

Member of Parliament for Newbury, Richard Benyon, welcomed news that, following pressure from himself and his constituents, First Great Western has relaxed the strict rules on using “Cheap Day” tickets on direct trains from London Paddington in the evening rush hours.   Whilst Cheap Day returns could always be used on all indirect services between 16:00 and 19:30, all direct trains were restricted to full fares only.    We have now been informed that for stations to Theale and beyond (i.e. all West Berkshire stations) you can use Cheap Day Return tickets on the 17:06 and the 18:06 trains.   All other direct services still remain restricted as FGW do not feel there is capacity on these services and to un-restrict them would result in overcrowding for commuters.

Richard Benyon said; “I am delighted that First Great Western have listened and a compromise has been found.   Rail users now have more choice and this is a good thing.  I remain committed to my campaign to improve the rail service in this area and will continue to work with FGW and constituents to achieve this.”

Update 27th June 2008

Below are notes from the meeting with First Great Western on 13th June 2008.  In addition we have updated the action schedule from 28th February which you can see in the section marked Update March 2008

We have made a lot of progress with our campaign, but still have a way to go and Richard will continue to do all he can.

Notes from Meeting with First Great Western and Network Rail
13th June 2008

Present at the meeting were;
Richard Benyon MP - (RB)
Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer, FGW – (AH)
Richard Rowland, Regional Manager, London & Thames Valley, FGW – (RR)
Dave Ward, Network Rail – (DW)
Alison Stone, Station Manager, FGW – (AS)
15 Constituents

RB opened the meeting thanking First Great Western and Network Rail for the massive improvement in the service since the last meeting in February, but commenting that there was still a way to go.

AH gave a brief summary of further improvements/and potential changes such as

• CCTV on all the turbo fleet by October 2008,
• FGW is bidding for at least 52 extra vehicles for use in the Thames Valley.  This is subject to approval by the Department of Transport and, if approved, will increase capacity significantly along this route.
• The final configurations for HSTs and buffet cars has yet to be concluded but some peak commuter trains will have the buffet carriages removed.  Subject to the extra vehicles noted previously this would allow HSTs to be reformed thus adding more seating.

DW commented that there had been improvements in the a number of areas and that there was now a programme of track repairs and replacement which would allow significant improvements.  There was still someway to go but there was good co-operation with FGW.

The Action Schedule from the February meeting had recently been updated and was distributed (attached for information)

Further points raised at the meeting, with responses are as follows:

• Being able to buy a Cheap Day Return (CDR) on the 0852 from Aldermaston to Reading and then connecting with the 0920 from Reading (the 0840 ex Bedwyn) arriving in Paddington at 0957

RR has asked the fares team to look at it. There are a few problems with this - mainly to do with customer service/ revenue protection/ crowding on services into London prior to 1000 and customers having the correct ticket for the journey they are on, but it is being reviewed.

• Whilst acknowledging a significant improvement in the punctuality of trains there was still an issue with the 07:45 from Newbury to Paddington which was consistently late since the summer timetable came into action.

RR to look into this and to highlight for improvement.

• Concerns on delays to the first train of the morning from Thatcham having a knock on effect to getting to London.  Delay seems to be from a goods train.

RR this will be looked at.

• Behaviour of Revenue Protection Officers in dealing with passengers

AH admitted that he is unhappy with the current culture of Revenue Protection Officers and is introducing a training programme to make them more customer focused.  He is willing to take up any complaint against a RPO but would need corroboration from witnesses or photos to take forward.               

• Engineering works disrupting Sunday trains for next 14 weeks.

DW explained the backlog of works was now 10 years behind and they were playing catch-up.  The new procedure repairing and replacing track in one area until all remedial works were done was more disrupting in short term, but produced faster results overall and was necessary in order to get a 7 day service.

• Late night trains from Paddington being delayed into Reading and the stopping connection not being held.

AH undertook to make these services “connecting services” and whilst they could not hold the service indefinitely, before the stopping service left Reading consideration would be given to any incoming passengers from London.

• Off-Peak Parking charges and timing at Newbury.  This review has been going on too long.

RR & AH to survey after meeting, the cost of parking in Newbury Town Centre  as compared with the cost of the station car park with the aim of getting best value for train users without the potential misuse of the station car park by visitors to Newbury Town.  A response is expected shortly.

• Ticket barriers at Paddington corrupting season tickets leading to delay in exiting the station and the need to replace season tickets frequently.

RR aware of the problem and FGW is trying to resolve.  

• Not enough shelters at the smaller stations like Hungerford and Thatcham.

AH-  These are expensive to erect and have become a target for vandals.  However, FGW are happy to discuss match funding with companies and councils.

• The cost of a senior rail card has increased form £20 to £24.

RR – this is a national decision so cannot be changed.

• Information on trains such as why there are delays, cancellations and what time due to arrive sometimes poor.  Not consistent.

AH - This will be addressed

• In the evening at Reading Station there is nowhere to sit inside and at Newbury the new waiting room has no tables.

AS - This will be looked at.

It was agreed that Richard Benyon would take a view from his constituents in the Autumn to see if a further meeting should be scheduled.  In the meantime, individual comments would be passed to FGW.

Update 4th June 2008

Richard has arranged for his constituents to  attend a follow-up meeting with himself, Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer, Richard Rowlands, Regional Manager and Dave Ward of Network Rail on Friday 13th June 2008 at 6.30 pm to air their concerns over the rail service.

The location for the meeting is Richards office is the Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury.   Please email with your name and home address to  mp@richardbenyon.com if you plan to attend.  Please note this meeting is for people living in the Newbury Constituency only.

Update March 2008

Meeting with First Great Western and Network Rail – Friday 29th February 2008

Herewith an update following the open meeting held a couple of weeks ago. 

The meeting was well attended by some 45 constituents and although Andrew Haines arrived quite late due to flight delays from Scotland, the event was deemed to be very useful.  Also present from First Great Western were, Mike Carroll (Customer Services Director) and Richard Rowland (Regional Manager) and for Network Rail, Dave Ward who is the Route Manager covering the Thames Valley.

Mike Carroll started the meeting with an apology for the poor level of service that commuters from the Thames Valley had been experiencing and promised to make some commitments that evening to improve the situation.

Attendees were all given the opportunity to ask one question and it is from these questions that the issues and commitments shown in the table below have come from.

I  will update the comments as they come in.

I am very pleased with the commitment now being shown by First Great Western to improving their service, but am not letting them off the hook and  will continue to keep the pressure up.

There will be a further update meeting in June and I will circulate details of this in due course.

Update February 1st 2008

Richard has arranged for his constituents to meet with himself, Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer, Mike Carroll, Customer Services Director, and Richard Rowlands, Regional Manager on Friday 29th February 2008 at 6.30 pm to air their concerns over the service they receive.

The location for the meeting is Richards office at 6 Cheap Street, Newbury.   However, if a large number of people indicate they wish to attend we may have to change the venue. We would therefore be grateful if you could email  mp@richardbenyon.com if you plan to attend.  If we do change the venue, we will send those who have registered an interest, an email with details.  Please note this meeting is for people living in the Newbury Constituency only.

Update January 18th 2008

As you will be aware, the new train timetable came into effect on 10th December 2007.  For many months before this, First Great Western has said that this new timetable and the introduction of High Speed Trains would solve many of the overcrowding and punctuality problems experienced by commuters for the last year. Unfortunately, this has not been the case and I have received many emails and letters from constituents showing how they are still having a very bad travelling experience.

On Wednesday 16th January I met with Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer, Mike Carroll, Customer Services Director, and Richard Rowlands, Regional Manager. to voice your concerns.

Punctuality

Whilst I acknowledge that part of the problem is caused by Network Rail, we did also get a clear acknowledgement from First Great Western that they have fallen short of expected targets and are not giving the service that they should. 

I was told that they are employing a Performance Director from next week whose main task will be to get the trains running on time.  They are also introducing managers at the key starting points of the morning services to ensure trains leave on time.  They acknowledge that trains’ running on time is the key to a good service and if one train leaves late, there is a knock-on effect throughout the timetable.   I was told that FGW are putting in place systems to ensure that trains leave the start station on time.  For example, the 0610 from Frome to Paddington, which is due to leave Newbury at 0712, has been a particular problem and its punctuality statistics are now down to below 66%.   FGW have said they will be putting in a system where it will be monitored on a daily basis and if it looks as if it will not start from Frome on time, it will start from Westbury on that day. 

Only time will tell if these systems will resolve the punctuality of the trains.  We all accept that from time to time circumstances (weather, faults etc) will delay a train, but I have made it very clear to FGW that they must do everything they can to improve the things they can. 

Overcrowding.

Overcrowding has been a problem since December 2006 when FGW introduced Adelante services on the key commuter trains.  We had some success in 2007 in getting one of the early morning services (0629 from Frome) made into a double Adelante service, but since December 2007 this train, (now the 0610 from Frome) has become an HST and the seating capacity on it reduced.  This would not have been so much of an issue if the other commuter train (0608 from Westbury) had also been made into an HST, which would have given a net gain over the two services.  However, this HST has been delayed coming into service, and I pressed FGW to bring this in as quickly as possible.  I am pleased to say that the 0608 from Westbury (Newbury departure at 0651) will be an HST with added from mid February at the latest.  There is some hope that this will be brought in earlier and I will continue to press for this.

Timetable

A number of constituents have contacted me concerning the retiming of the 0812 from Newbury to Reading which has left a gap of 40 minutes between 0757 and 0837 for the stations between Newbury and Reading.   FGW accepted that this retiming felt very much like a “cut” for commuters who used to have a train around which arrived in Reading at 0844 and was convenient for those working in Reading.  They have agreed to look at my suggestions of bringing the 0837 earlier to shorten the gap or, to assist Thatcham commuters, add a stop on the 0832 from Newbury.  I am not overly confident that this will happen, because there are a number of trains running on the line during this 40 minutes which may preclude any change, but they have promised to look at it and come back to us as soon as possible.  I will continue to do what I can here.

Thatcham Station

I have been concerned for some time that Thatcham Station is just “not up to the job”.  Thatcham is a growing town, and as such needs facilities at its station on a par with Newbury.  Nothing will happen overnight, but I have asked First Great Western to look into improving facilities at this station, which they agreed to do.  I will continue to press them on this and also on increasing the train services to this station.

And finally

As part of our discussions FGW have said that they would be willing to meet with commuters to discuss the above or any other issues that they have.   I would be very happy to host such a meeting, but before I arrange something for later in the Spring, would need to have an indication of how many people would like to attend and what time would suit them best.  We wont find a time that suits everybody, but if you wish to be involved please can you let me know what days of the week suit you best and what times (i.e. a Friday evening at say 6.00pm).  I will then arrange with FGW.

With the new train timetable about to start in December, Richard has written to many constituents with an update on his actions to improve rail services.  The text of his letter is below.

Update November 2007

With the new train timetable about to start in December, Richard has written to many constituents with an update on his actions to improve rail services.  The text of his letter is below.

“I have attached two documents. The first is a copy of a letter I have received from the Minister with responsibility for the Railways, Tom Harris MP, who has been seeking assurances form FGW that the service will improve.  The second is extracts from email correspondence between my office and Richard Rowland, the Regional Manager, London & Thames Valley of First Great Western

You will note that I have been pressing Richard Rowland about the appalling punctuality record of the two key commuter trains and also about the continuing problem of overcrowding.    

The punctuality on the Westbury service is extremely poor (50%) and on the Frome train it is currently only 70% on time.  This is not acceptable and I will continue to demand weekly updates on FGW’s progress to improve this.   I will also press the Minister, Tom Harris, to keep the pressure up on FGW and Network Rail at every available opportunity.

With regard to overcrowding, I am greatly concerned about the number of standard seats there will be after the time table changes in December.  As many of you know it is  now already difficult, if not impossible, to get a seat on these trains, but between December and February 2008 it will be even worse with an overall loss of 78 standard seats.  When the Westbury service becomes a HST in February 2008, there will be an overall net gain from now of 84 seats, but I am yet to be convinced that this will be enough seats to alleviate the overcrowding problem.  I am pressing FGW to make the Westbury service a double Adelante train until February to help alleviate this shortfall, and I will keep you informed.

Please be assured that I will continue to do all I can for commuters and train users in West Berkshire, and I would urge you to please continue to let FGW know every time you are inconvenienced by overcrowding or bad punctuality.  The more noise we all make, the more they may listen.”

Email to Richard Rowland, General Manager FGW

Ministers Letter

Update August 1st 2007

With the announcement of First Great Western of the new timetable, which starts in December, there is some good news for rail travellers in West Berkshire.  Newbury’s MP, Richard Benyon ,  has welcomed the increases in services to and from Aldermaston.  Richard, working with the Parish Council and the Atomic Weapons Establishment, has campaigned hard for this improvement.  Richard is also pleased that there is a small improvement to the evening pe a k service for stations between Newbury and Bedwyn. 

Richard said,

“I am pleased with a number of changes but there is still much more work to be done to get the rail service we deserve.  While the additional services are welcome, I am concerned that the early morning pe a k hour services have been moved to earlier times. Even a few minutes extra a day adds up to a considerably longer working day for people who have to use these services.  I will continue with my campaign and my co-operation with other Thames Valley MPs to get more improvements to our rail service.”

Details of all that Richard Benyon has done to date are available on www.saveourtrains.co.uk

Notes:

The following is an extract from an email from FGW.  Please note that the timetable is still to be formally agreed by National Rail ,  so these changes/additions are subject to conf i rmation.

Aldermaston
0656 Newbury - Reading stops at Aldermaston at 0711
1737 Bedwyn - Paddington stops at Aldermaston at 1804
1618 Paddington - Bedwyn stops at Aldermaston at 1702
There is a 2 hourly service calling at all stations on a Sunday between Newbury and Reading

Evening peak to stations Newbury - Bedwyn
The through trains at 1706 and 1806 remain and there is a better connection of the 1733 and 1836 at Newbury for intermediate stations to Bedwyn.

Update February 26th 2007

Late night train service saved

Newbury MP, Richard Benyon is delighted at the decision by First Great Western to reinstate the late night train service from London Paddington and Reading to Newbury from May. 

Richard Said, “This success comes at the end of a year long campaign to save this service.  I am so pleased for all the people who have written to me on this matter or who have raised it directly with First Great Western.  It is clear that this service was of great value to many people for both their working and social life.”

• FGW have announced that the late night service which ran at 0:15 will be reinstated from May, every night of the week.
  
  
• FGW have also announced that the 7.25 am commuter service from Newbury to Paddington will double in size to a 10 car Adelante Service from 26th March.  In addition, times of trains used by children to get to and from school will be adjusted to better suit school times and the 18:33 from Paddington will once again stop at Hungerford from May

Update January 17th 2007

Good news for users of the late night service from Paddington

First Great Western have listened to the protests of many hundreds of commuters and train users and reinstated a service that will allow passengers to return from London to Newbury late at night.  The cancellation of the 0:15 train from Reading to Newbury in December, meant that you had to leave London by 22:15 in order to get back Newbury or face an expensive taxi ride from Reading.  Today, FGW announced that they will put on a bus service from Reading, to set down only, at all stations to Newbury on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from tomorrow (18th January 2007)

Richard said “This is good news for people wishing to spend an evening in London or Reading and return by public transport.  It just shows what consumer pressure can achieve with persistence and determination.  However, it is, by no means the end of the matter.  This bus will run until May whilst passenger numbers are evaluated.  If we can prove to FGW that this service is really needed, they will continue it, and hopefully reinstate the train.  I urge people to use this service as much as possible. 

I will continue to lobby FGW and the DoT for this train to be reinstated in full, but this is a step in the right direction.

I remain concerned about the new timetable, in particular the overcrowding on the morning commuter services, and will do all I can to pressure FGW into sorting out this dangerous situation”

Update January 10th 2007

Following repeated lobbying on behalf of rail passengers in West Berkshire, Newbury MP, Richard Benyon, has run out of patience with First Great Western.  In response to complaints from across the Thames Valley FGW have today announced a number of timetable changes.  However, none of these will improve the situation for travellers to and from West Berkshire. 

Richard Benyon has written to Tom Harris MP, the Minister responsible for railways asking for the Government to implement penalty clauses in the franchise contract.    In his letter (attached) he said

"I would suggest that they have proved themselves unworthy of the franchise they have been awarded.”

Richard has also written to the Office of Rail Regulation (letter attached) asking for action to be taken against First Great Western because of the horrendous overcrowding caused by an incompetent decision to change rolling stock.

Richard said 

“I am due to meet with the Chief Executive of First Great western on Thursday and will tell her why I have taken this action.  The implementation of the new timetable has been incompetent in the extreme and has had a devastating effect on the quality of lives and safety of passengers. Urgent action is required."

Letter to Bill Emery | Letter to Tom Harris

Update December 19th 2006

I spoke in the Christmas Adjournment Debate on this issue - for full text  click here

Click here to see a recent speech in Parliament on our local rail service

Update December 14th 2006

Late train

Many of you contributed to my request for information on how often you used the late night train.  I used this evidence in my discussions with First Great Western and challenged Managing Director, Alison Forster to prove that this service was no longer “commercially viable” but she was unable to provide any data as they do not have any Revenue Protection Officers (ticket collectors to you and me) on this train and it leaves from open platforms at Paddington and Reading.

FGW said that they could keep this service running if subsidy was found for 50% of the cost – approximately £120,000 per annum.  I approached local companies to see if they were able to help, but unfortunately, drew a blank.  My latest action was to see if Newbury Buses would be able to provide a service form Reading Railway Station to Newbury as a replacement to the train.   As of today I am still waiting to hear whether this will happen.

Morning commuter services

Without much warning First Great Western have changed the rolling stock on the two key commuter trains from Hungerford and Newbury and Thatcham.  Instead of turbo trains with approximately 550 seats they are now using Adelante trains with 282 seats.  This has caused chaos and severe overcrowding.  I have been in almost daily contact with FGW and am doing all I can to get them to rectify this situation. 

The Railways Minister told me in a parliamentary answer that rail services to West Berkshire had increased and improved.  This flies in the face of evidence from commuters and rail users across West Berkshire.  The new timetable has resulted in increased commuting times, fewer trains, more overcrowding and a general reduction in quality of service.  I hope to raise this matter if called by the Speaker, in a debate in Parliament next week.

How you can help

If you are suffering poor service, increased commuting time, or overcrowding please complain to;

Alison Forster
Managing Director
First Great Western
Milford House
Swindon, SN1 1HL
or email Alison.forster@firstgroup.com

and/ or

Richard Rowland
General Manager
First Great Western, Thames Valley,
Station Manager's Office
Platform 4
Reading Railway Station
Station Approach
Reading  RG1 1LZ.
Or email Richard.Rowland@firstgroup.com

The more complaints they get the more likely they are to listen. 

In addition, it would help me if you can give me specific examples of how the new time table has impacted on your lives – for example: “my commute is now 10 minutes longer each day” – “I have to stand all the way from Newbury to Paddington” which I could use as evidence in my speech next week or in future lobbying on behalf of rail commuters.  Please email to mp@richardbenyon.com

Finally, First Great Western is currently consulting on the December 2007 timetable.  Comments have to be with them by mid January so please do contact them to tell them what you could like to change and to lobby for the late train to be reinstated.

Update July 27th 2006

95% Success

On Friday 28th July, First Great Western will publish its new timetable from December 2006.  I am informed that the Newbury/Bedwyn services will continue to be an hourly service with one slightly longer gap in the afternoon which is what we were promised in April. However, there are minor changes to the times of the trains along the Paddington/Bedwyn line, not just in this section and I would urge you to look at the full timetable on the First Great Western website www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk from the 28th July to see how you may be affected.

While our campaign has been a huge success, one disappointment is our inability to save the late service from Paddington to Newbury.  Currently, you can leave Paddington as late as 11.30 pm to get back to Newbury.  However, from December you will have to leave Paddington by 10.15 pm.  I am told that the only way this train can be re-introduced (probably not until 2007) will be to prove the commercial viability of it.  If you use this late train, I would be grateful if you could contact me at with the following information:

How many times a month you do/would use the service
What days of the week/weekend you do/would use the service
Which stations you travel from and to on this service.

I will then collate the answers, and pass the information to First Great Western if we can put a commercial case forward.

If rail services decrease people will get back in their cars and increase the congestion on our roads in West Berkshire, Reading and on the M4.  I will do all that I can to see that this does not happen.