First Great Western apologise for rail chaos

The MP Rob Wilson has received a letter of apology and explanation from Network Rail and First Great Western following last week’s travel chaos. The severe disruption resulted in train delays and cancellations - it took some people 5 hours to complete their journey.

The joint letter from Patrick Hallgate, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, and Mark Hopwood, Managing Director for First Great Western, acknowledged that performance had been ‘well below the standards customers should expect’ and that the organisations were sorry for the ‘frustration and inconvenience’ felt by passengers.

The delays and disruptions were caused by signalling failures. Billions are being invested in the rail network to replace and modernise older equipment and improve signalling.

Rob Wilson said, “It’s good that Network Rail and First Great Western have apologised for the severe disruptions to the network. It’s important that the service providers recognise the immense frustration felt by commuters when the system grinds to halt. Whilst apologies and explanations are welcome, they will be of little comfort to commuters who have to suffer when trains are delayed and cancelled. There is huge investment going into transport infrastructure in Reading and the surrounding areas, but without improved performance and increased reliability this investment will be immaterial."