Trains not Shops

Use the train to Waterloo? Want more services and less overcrowding? Fed up of delays outside Waterloo in the peak?

We now have the best chance in a generation to improve local train services – but we must campaign, hard and fast.

The opportunity comes when Eurostar switches to St. Pancras in April 2007. That frees up the five platforms of Waterloo International Terminal for something else.

Everyone knows Waterloo station acts as a bottleneck, limiting train service quality for the whole south west: five extra ultra-long platforms should be a dream come true.

Yet Government consultants and Her Majesty’s Treasury are studying “options”. And one option is to turn all the Eurostar platforms into retail and office space. No, I’m not joking.

To be fair, other options include train use. Yet to me, it’s frankly bonkers to consider any option without train use.

So, along with the new Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, Susan Kramer, I’ve launched a new campaign to ensure these extra platforms are used to improve local train services to Waterloo.

I’ve already met South West Trains, have a meeting with the Transport Minister and a detailed plan of action. With key decisions needed later this year, we must lobby hard. So wider campaigning will be needed. Anyone interested in joining us to secure better local train services, please contact me.