To all rail users of Maidstone and the Weald
Since my selection as Parliamentary Candidate for Maidstone and the Weald in January 2008, and my subsequent election as the MP in May 2010, I have been all too aware of the many issues relating to our train services and how they affect the daily lives of our commuters. Good rail services are a must for any large town, but even more so for our County Town, particularly in view of our Growth Point status for future development.
I continue to work hard promoting the needs and concerns of commuters, partly by organising and chairing various meetings between Kent MPs, Southeastern and Network Rail. I have also made my views known to Theresa Villiers MP, the Transport Minister with responsibilities for rail services. I do believe services over the past 6 months have improved generally on the previous half year, but there is still much more Southeastern need to do to provide a reliable and decent service that can be considered value for money.
Winter Services
It seems that over the years rail fares have continued to rise, but services have been on a downward spiral. Last winter was a real low point and in this sorry tale and I sincerely hope that we will not see a repeat performance in 2011-12. On the 14th September Southeastern and I organised an informal meeting between Kent MPs, Southeastern and Network Rail. This was an opportunity for Kent MPs to question the rail companies about their preparations for this winter following the shambolic service last year; click here to download a notes of that meeting for your information.
In summary, thanks to some excellent lobbying from our Kent MPs, Network Rail and Southeastern have announced:
- 40,000 metres of additional conductor rail heating 8 anti-icing trains (compared to 6 in 2010)
- 2 snow and ice treatment trains20 passenger trains fitted with anti-icing tanks
- Closer working with Kent County Council with station approach roads gritted;
- mutual aid for passengers if stranded
- 3 new 4x4 vehicles to assist Southeastern engineers to respond more quickly to trains experiencing difficulties
- Increased supplies of grit, salt;
- 100 additional grit salt bins;
- 220 hand pushed ploughs;
- 6 motorised snow clearance vehicles 4,000 foil blankets and glow sticks onboard trains
Fares
I have written to Theresa Villiers MP asking her to rethink the recent fare increases. Whilst I understand and agree with the decision to invest in our railways and train infrastructure, I also believe my constituents have already paid their fair share for this. As you will know, Southeastern rail fares have been subject to a RPI plus 3% formula for some time, in order to pay for High Speed 1 costs, while the rest of the country has been limited to a plus 1%.
As fares are now being increased across the UK to cover the costs of rail upgrades and High Speed 2, I believe fares from Southeastern should be lowered back to the RPI plus 1% formula. It seems to me to be entirely unfair that my constituents have to pay twice for rail and train improvements.
Please see the letter to Ms Villiers here
Threats of ticket office closures
In another letter to Ms Villiers I urged the Minister to keep our ticket offices open. Whilst Southeastern have already confirmed to me they have absolutely no plans to close any of their ticket offices, I am taking a pre-emptive approach whilst the Government reviews recommendations made by Sir Roy McNulty in his recent independent Report.
My letter to Ms Villiers is here, and her response is here.
Further Information
MAIDSTONE AREA RAIL USERS GROUP (MARUG) - http://www.marug.org/
MALLING RAIL TRAVELLERS - http://www.mallingrailtravellers.com/
NETWORK RAIL - http://www.networkrail.co.uk/
SOUTHEASTERN - http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
SOUTHEASTERN TWITTER FEED - http://twitter.com/#!/se_railway
On Wednesday 2nd November I met with Transport Minister Norman Baker. I raised a number of issues on behalf of the many commuters and rail users of Maidstone and the Weald including rail fares, ticket office closures, winter resilience and franchise agreements.
