Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email »
9:27am Tuesday 19th December 2006
The battle to reinstate key commuter trains from Oxfordshire to London has reached Parliament as rail managers launch a review of timetable changes that have caused overcrowding on peak services.
Wantage MP Ed Vaizey tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons yesterday asking fellow MPs to back his call for urgent changes to First Great Western's new timetable, which came into force last week.
Commuters who use Didcot Parkway station have deluged their MP with letters and emails complaining about overcrowding on services into London and problems even getting on board trains that are packed before they call at Didcot.
Last night, FGW admitted it was aware of overcrowding problems and said it was carrying out a review to see if it can tackle the problem in the New Year.
Mr Vaizey is to meet FGW managers after Christmas to outline his constituents' concerns. He said: "It's been an unbelievable mess-up and First Great Western deserve a good kicking.
"The changes have led to hell on earth for commuters and the company has a lot of explaining to do.
"This has easily been the biggest issue in my mailbag since I became an MP."
Mr Vaizey's motion notes the "travel chaos" caused by the new timetable and "condemns the resulting overcrowding caused by the reduction in services and the use of the smaller capacity Adelante trains instead of the usual High Speed Trains".
Oxford commuters last week demanded the reinstatement of axed 6.45am and 7.25am expresses to London and have launched an online petition.
FGW spokesman Adrian Ruck said the firm was aware of overcrowding on morning peak trains from the county to London and was now monitoring the situation.
He added: "We're aware of the Oxford issues and can confirm that a small-scale review is being carried out.
"Over the next few weeks we will monitor services very closely and, if necessary and possible, will make further modifications in the future.
"We have had lots of feedback, and one issue we note is that some of our customers are unaware of the available capacity on our local services - the Turbo trains - to London Paddington and our High Speed Trains. There are often many seats available on these trains."
Passenger Chris Balfour has been commuting between Didcot and London for the past seven years but said he had been forced to stand throughout the journey for the first time last week.
He said: "This has happened every day and after paying £3,500 for a year to travel on this I think I deserve a bit better."
Garry Bloom, of Oxford Chamber of Commerce, said: "The predicted growth of Didcot shows there should be more rather than fewer trains. With fewer trains it will put more stress on the already busy road system."
Raymond, says...
11:10am Tue 19 Dec 06
Raymond, says...
11:10am Tue 19 Dec 06
M Jones, says...
11:18am Tue 19 Dec 06
Adrian Ruck, says...
1:14pm Tue 19 Dec 06
CJ Harrison, says...
1:36pm Tue 19 Dec 06
Mark, says...
2:43pm Tue 19 Dec 06
Raymond, says...
7:01pm Tue 19 Dec 06
Paul, says...
10:44pm Tue 19 Dec 06
CJ Harrison, says...
12:32am Wed 20 Dec 06
David, says...
10:15am Wed 20 Dec 06
Raymond, says...
11:00am Wed 20 Dec 06
Kate Anderson, says...
1:23pm Wed 20 Dec 06
RW, says...
11:35am Fri 22 Dec 06
Kate Anderson wrote:It's not just commuters into London that are up in arms about the new timetable! Those of us who commute into Oxford each day from the west of England now need to catch the 1721 from Oxford each evening and, assuming it is on time, face a 5 minute dash across Didcot station to make the fast train to Swindon and Bristol. If we miss this train, we have an hour wait at Didcot station. Since the new timetable came in, the 1721 has either missed this connection (or been cancelled completely) 5 times out of the 7 occasions I have travelled! A journey which took me 40 mins before now frequently takes an hour and a half! I'd be keen to hear Mr Ruck's views on this too.
Dear Adrian Ruck, I am aware that there are stopping services from Oxford. Your quote about the capacity on other services is in effect saying 'You can stand for just over an hour on a crowded fast train, or sit on inadequate seats for an hour and a half on a slow one.' I am sure you would agree that for a daily commute neither of these options is particularly sustainable.
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Find your next job now in Oxfordshire
Search Now »
Make a date in Oxfordshire now!
Search Now »
Oxfordshire homes for sale and to let
Search Now »
Cars for sale in Oxfordshire
Search Now »
Paul Stewart, says...
10:24am Tue 19 Dec 06