Network rail set to amend 'slow service'

Published by

Tom Kilkelly

HS2 Train

Last week Network Rail apologised to passengers for the train disruption faced in the past month and said the ‘industry response wasn’t good enough’.

This statement comes following the company meeting with Maidenhead MP Theresa May. According to sources, 'the meeting was successful, problems were outlined and solutions put forward'.

Following the meeting, she said: "Most of the problems are down to Network Rail. I have been clear with them about how bad the service has been in recent weeks and the need for action.

"They need to get on with the job of making sure we don’t see the sort of delays and cancellations people have experienced recently.

"I impressed upon Network Rail the need to restore a reliable service for Maidenhead, Twyford and the branch lines. These recent delays risk undermining consumer trust in rail travel at a time when we should be encouraging travel by rail."

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According to spokespeople for the MP, Theresa May was satisfied with the accountability that Network Rail and GWR have taken for the problems. She is reportedly ''looking forward to seeing a markedly improved service''.

Responding to Network Rail's performance in recent times, a Great Western Railway spokesman said: “We’re really sorry for customers whose journeys have been disrupted by these incidents. We recognise we need to work with Network Rail and other operators to deliver better performance for passengers.

“In the last year two-thirds of delays to our trains relate to Network Rail causes so we understand our passengers’ concern.

“The new Network Rail Western team under Marcus Jones has outlined concrete steps to tackle the key infrastructure delay challenges, and we will do all we can to help them deliver those improvements for customers as quickly as possible.”

Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022. During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan). His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.