MP appeals for more train services in constituency

Mr Grayling wants more trains during the morning peak for commuters in his constituency

An MP is appealing for more train services to stop in his constituency due to overcrowding.

Chris Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell, says many people have contacted him about packed trains on South Western Railway (SWR).

He said people at Ewell West, Stoneleigh and Worcester Park were particularly affected as they do not have any alternative train routes.

A SWR spokesperson says that while commuter numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, "we know some of our most popular services arriving in Waterloo between 08.00 GMT and 09.00 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings are very busy".

The train drivers' union Aslef says that the new SWR trains are not yet ready for use

Mr Grayling says that last year, SWR introduced extra semi-fast trains in the evening peak last year to help the situation and he wants the same in the morning peak.

SWR also has new 10-carriage trains but these have been delayed on arrival, which Mr Grayling says is "down to a dispute with the drivers' union".

A spokesperson for Aslef, the train drivers' union, says the cabs are "being modified" but that is "not the only issue".

The spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with SWR to resolve the outstanding problems but will not commit to commence training until our concerns have been addressed. The railway is a safety-critical industry."

SWR's spokesperson said: “Our Arterio fleet will transform customer journeys across our suburban network. A limited service is already in operation between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside and we are working closely with all our partners to roll out the fleet at scale later this year.”

Mr Grayling said he has also has met with Southern railway, pushing it to re-instate the half-hourly service from Ewell East to London Victoria, saying "there is no obvious reason why this stopped".

A new timetable across the whole rail industry will come into force on 2 June.

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