NEW SURVEY: Local commuters signal anger at rail chaos

25.3.02

"The railway shambles is a national disgrace"

A new survey of local train commuters carried out by Kingston and Surbiton's Lib Dem MP, Edward Davey, has shown huge anger at recent Government failures on the railways. Edward Davey believes the survey results show "unparalleled dissatisfaction" with the local rail service in recent months and has pledged to continue the battle for better commuter services locally.

The local Lib Dem survey was carried out in January, as part of a London-wide survey. Edward Davey and his team surveyed several hundred local people and received 266 completed local replies, as Kingston's share in the London-wide response of over 5,000 completed replies. The local figures have just been published showing the attitudes of Kingston commuters to the recent problems on the trains, though these do not differ significantly from the London-wide response. Key highlights from the results are:

• 89% did not agree with the Government's rail policy
• 89% were not satisfied with train punctuality
• 84% agreed with Liberal Democrat policy to reorganise the railway industry
• 92% wanted Bob Kiley, the Transport Commissioner for London, to be given more control of London's train services
• 67% do not want South West Trains to get a new 20 year franchise
• 38% wanted the Strategic Rail Authority to back South West Trains' investment policy for local train services, with 28% against [34% don't knows]

Commenting, Edward Davey said: "The shambles on our railways has become a national disgrace.

"Our local survey shows that Kingston's commuters are as angry and fed up as commuters from across London, who took part in a similar commuter survey.

"Whether it is train punctuality or the Government's overall rail policy, the travelling public are not happy. Speaking as a local commuter myself, I know how they feel.

"When we asked more in-depth questions - about the structure and control of the railway industry - local commuters still gave us clear answers. First, they don't like the fact that control of track and train are separate. Second, they don't like the fact that the railways in London aren't linked in fully with other transport strategies.

"These results will help me as I continue to argue for improved local train services."