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Topic: David Drew Calls For FGW To Lose Its Franchise (Read 2256 times)
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Lee
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« Last Edit: May 12, 2007, 12:44:43 PM by Lee »
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Graham Ellis
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Contrary to the views expressed on the Blogspot, which suggest that Mr Drew isn't fit to be an MP, I would suggest he has done a good job, railway wise, for his constituents. This is a bit of a sore point here in West Wiltshire, as Mr Drew was instrumental in pressing FGW and the DfT for certain of the timetable changes last December ... resulting in a catastrophic post-consultation change that moved the West Wilts to Swindon service away from the peak Swindon arrival time that had been intended for it - in other words, he was instrumental in triggering a late change which has destroyed all useful services here in Melksham.
Mr Drew is, of course, elected by his constituents to represent THEM and we're not a part of his constituency, so his actions - though regrettable for their serious effect on a neighbouring area - are understandable. It is, though, hypocritical of Mr Drew to call now for the sacking of the TOC, isn't it?
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Lee
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To be fair to David Drew , he has asked several PWQ's that have been most helpful to my research. Examples can be found in below.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve reliability and service provision on First Great Western railways.
First Great Western has acknowledged that service provision has suffered because it underestimated passenger demand. It has already taken steps to restore capacity in some areas and expects the position to improve further in the coming weeks. Performance issues are the subject of action plans between the company and Network Rail which are monitored monthly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints he has received in relation to First Great Western's new timetable.
The ministerial team at the Department for Transport have received 81 letters since 1 April 2006 from parliamentary colleagues which make reference to First Great Western's new timetable.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition the Department uses of peak-time travel on the railways.
Peak-time travel on the railways is defined as services between 7 am and 10 am and 4 pm and 7 pm on weekdays.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate an investigation into the operation of the new Great Western franchise, with particular reference to (a) reliability, (b) punctuality and (c) the new timetable; and if he will investigate the current performance of (i) First Great Western and (ii) Network Rail.
I hold meetings regularly with First Great Western and Network Rail to assess performance. Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail and FGW to address performance issues. These are monitored monthly.
Network Rail is regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation ('ORR'). ORR has been investigating performance on the western routes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role his Department played in the recent major reconfiguration of the timetable introduced by First Great Western.
The detailed construction of the timetable is a matter for First Great Western working within the framework provided by the Department for Transport's (DfT) minimum specification. Where desirable changes have been identified, the DfT has made changes to the specification if this has proved necessary to facilitate their implementation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has to seek reversals of railway timetable changes that may (a) breach commitments given in the franchise process and (b) be contrary to the interests of passengers.
Train operators must operate timetables which are consistent with the service specifications in their franchise agreements and the Secretary of State can take enforcement action to secure compliance if necessary. The Secretary of State has no powers to force changes to timetables which are compliant with the service specifications, but does encourage train operators to listen to their passengers and stakeholders and take account of their concerns.
Personally , I have always found David Drew to be interested in the wider issues , not just those of his own constituency.
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Graham Ellis
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To be fair to David Drew , he has asked several PWQ's that have been most helpful to my research. Examples can be found in below.
[snip]
Personally , I have always found David Drew to be interested in the wider issues , not just those of his own constituency.
That's fair comment, Lee ... you can appreciate, I'm sure, that the effect of his previous campaign - the success of which which resulted in the current sh*tty timing we have for West Wilts to Swindon - leaves me a bit emotional and "anti". |
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