Articles and Speeches

Windsor MP Calls for Rail Improvements
05-Mar-07, Press Release.

Windsor MP Calls for Rail Improvements

Windsor MP Adam Afriyie, along with other Thames Valley MPs, has attended a meeting with Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, to discuss Windsor residents’ ongoing problems with First Great Western’s rail services.

Mr Afriyie raised the point at the meeting that while an extra five or ten minutes added to long train journeys, for example from Devon or Cornwall, do not impact significantly on the overall journey time, but the same time added on to journeys into central London from Windsor can mean the difference between taking the train and driving into London.

The Thames Valley MPs have requested a joint meeting with the Chief Executives of both organisations to try to get some positive action instead of each company just blaming the other.

Mr Afriyie said after the meeting: “One of the most frustrating elements for passengers is that Network Rail and First Great Western play the blame game so that they don’t have to take responsibility for sorting out the mess.

“We must continue to fight for improved rail services for Windsor until we have a service that is reliable, comfortable and cost-effective for all of us.”