Twyford

Less than a week after my last email I wanted to update you on the promising news from my meeting with the Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.

Since the introduction of the December 2006 timetable I have made it clear to the Government, time and again, that the train service is not good enough and have pressed for improvements. I’m pleased to say the campaign has had some success. It is clear that the Government have taken a tough stance with FGW.

In our meeting the Secretary of State confirmed that there is now a 40-point recovery plan agreed by FGW and Network Rail with the Department 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 of us 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 to remove all of or part of their franchise.

These are small but significant victories. 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.

As ever, please do keep me informed of your journeys and experiences with FGW, and keep writing to them to let them know how you think they’re doing. I do not want the campaign to slow down until we see a real difference to our services. I am glad to see that the Department for Transport have finally sat up and realised how important this issue is. But what we want to see is results. Until then, the campaign continues…

Yours Sincerely,

Theresa

The Rt Hon Theresa May MP