Rail Company Responds to Timetable Protests

4.20.00pm GMT Mon 6th Dec 2004

Responding to complaints about the impact on Whitton and Strawberry Hill of the new rail timetable, the Managing Director of South West Trains, Andrew Haines, has told Vincent Cable MP that he will keep the timetable under review until its impact is better understood; but there will be extra trains for both stations: an extra peak hour Strawberry Hill train to/from Waterloo and two extra Waterloo trains an hour after 8pm; and an additional two trains per hour until 9.30am for Whitton and extra peak hour trains.

Vincent Cable said: "SW Trains has looked at the timetabling issue carefully and the bunching of trains at Strawberry Hill seems to be unavoidable to get a better connection at Teddington to Fulwell, Hampton and Shepperton. There are also complex issues involving different types of rolling stock on different routes which suggest that any outcome is likely to disappoint someone.

"It remains the case, unfortunately, that many of our local stations are served by slow trains only and the new timetable will make them even slower because of longer stops. But now that platforms are being freed at Waterloo, by the move to St Pancras, there will be scope for more and more varied services and a fresh look at alternatives to Crossrail."