West Berkshire residents - Save Our Trains

Berserker · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:04

I realise the catchment area for this may be relatively small, but still, it's worth bringing this to the attention of those of us to whom it matters.

Richard Benyon is leading a campaign across West Berkshire to oppose cuts to rail services. In awarding a new franchise to First Great Western, the Government have micro-managed a new timetable that will have devastating effects for commuters and families across the Thames Valley.

One of the worst affected branch lines is the Reading to Bedwyn service which is seeing a halving in off peak trains and a change of times for services that will inconvenience people of all ages, including school children. Richard Benyon said,

“Earlier this week, I joined other Berkshire MPs in meeting the Minister responsible for these changes. I made it entirely clear how devastating this was for so many in my constituency. It is not only rail users who will be affected: as rail services are cut people will be forced onto our roads adding to congestion across West Berkshire, in Reading and on the M4”

Richard will be meeting the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling MP, later this month but for now it is vital that as many people as possible sign our on-line petition and write to the Minister concerned. All necessary information can be found on http://www.saveourtrains.co.uk

Information credit http://www.saveourtrains.co.uk and http://www.newbury.net

The petition is due to be presented to parliament on Wednesday.

panthro · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:08

Answer me this, if I sign this, will it be have a positive or negative effect on first great western?

Berserker · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:10

It's not FGW that caused this problem - it's government ministers/officials.

FGW run the services now. At worst it'll cost them a little more to reinstate the extra services that will be cut.

kibblerok · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:12

I hate the goverment and its stance on transport, ******* idiots

panthro · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:16

Berserker said:
It's not FGW that caused this problem - it's government ministers/officials.

FGW run the services now. At worst it'll cost them a little more to reinstate the extra services that will be cut.

I'll sign it then. Anything to hurt that company....and stop further congestion on the roads.

Roduga · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:18

Signed, even though I am lucky enough to be travelling in the opposite direction every morning.

Royality · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:20

Where's Bedwyn? I live in Reading and never even heard of it... :confused:

Scam · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:20

Thanks for the heads up. Signed and passed on! I've stood up for 50mins on that friggin line far too many times after paying full wack, and now they try to do this. Muppets!

Roduga · 6 Mar 2006 at 23:23

Royality said:
Where's Bedwyn? I live in Reading and never even heard of it...

Next stop on from Hungerford.

Edit: However, stop off at Hungerford at lunchtime and I'll buy you a tuna lunch. I love my Hungerford...

Berserker · 7 Mar 2006 at 18:28

Second (and last) chance Bump.

Meridian · 7 Mar 2006 at 19:42

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.

Translation would appear to be: the government is trying to get more trains to run on popular runs at the expense of less-used ones. Since it can't run both without using more tax-payers' money (all train companies run at a loss AFAIK and rely on government subsidy) it seems fair enough to me. It's called the Golden Rule: he who has the gold makes the rules.

Unfortunate for those affected, but bog-standard capitalism.

M

Berserker · 7 Mar 2006 at 19:49

Unfortunate doesn't really cut it I'm afraid. Some of us actually rely on public transport and have no other choice.