Calls to reconsider train cuts

From eWatford Observer 17/02/07


A WATCHDOG organisation representing transport users has published a
study that it hopes will convince the Department for Transport to
reconsider plans to reduce the number of intercity trains calling at
Watford Junction.

London TravelWatch is concerned that the day-long service of intercity
trains at Watford Junction, serving the major towns and cities on the
West Coast Main Line (WCML), will soon be curtailed.

"During the past ten years, the usefulness of these calls has been
increased by the introduction of direct trains between Watford and the
Brighton line," the study said.

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This service enables many inter-city journeys to be made without the
hassle of crossing central London by Underground. There is also a
frequent coach link with Heathrow Airport."

The Department for Transport's West Coast Main Line Strategy provides
for a new timetable from December 2008 but its proposals for this
timetable would limit day-long intercity calls at Watford to the
Birmingham route only.

With a local catchment for inter-city services of about one million,
and strong growth in demand for rail travel, London TravelWatch
considers that these proposals are unacceptable. A DfT spokesman was
unavailable to comment.

11:13am Friday 16th February 2007

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John Burke
WRUG