Cuts to summer train services criticised by MP

A timetable with fewer train services will last until August 29

An MP has criticised a rail operator for timetable changes that will reduce services over the summer.

South Western Railway (SWR) has introduced changes for the summer holidays that will mean fewer services on some lines, including only one train an hour between 0700 BST and 09:00 on the Chertsey to Weybridge route.

Dr Ben Spencer, Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said commuters trying to get to work were being treated with "contempt".

SWR said the reduction to "quieter, off-peak" trains between July 28 and August 29 affected fewer than 5% of its daily services.

Ben Spencer has previously raised issues in the Commons about transport in Runnymede and Weybridge

'Treated with contempt'

Spencer, who has previously raised concerns about transport networks in the area, told BBC Radio Surrey he was also unhappy about a lack of consultation.

"Only in SWR's mind could between 07:00 and 09:00 be 'off-peak' services," he said.

"This is a really important route for people to get in to work, to get across my constituency, and to commute into London. People depend on this. It's already the worst performing line on SWR.

"These changes have been brought in without consultation. Do people not need to go to work over the summer? Do we not need, you know, reasonable rail services over the summer?

"Quite simply, I think SWR are treating commuters, and my constituents, with contempt."

He added that, because SWR was nationalised in May, the government now had "direct control and accountability" for the service.

There will be one train an hour at certain times from stations such as Chertsey

A spokesperson for SWR said the reduction accounted for less than 5% of its 1,600 daily services.

"Over the summer holiday period, customer numbers drop by 12-17% and the services we have removed are those with the lowest forecast demand," they said.

The spokesperson added the reduction would help complete a driver training programme for new trains being introduced to the service.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said "the issues causing these reductions were inherited from previous private sector ownership under the flawed franchise system" and that the new managing director of Great British Railways "will be setting out a plan to drive up performance".