Sir Bob Russell MP has written to both Network Rail and Abellio Greater Anglia to complain about the delays on 12th August, as well as the long list of less recent delays and disruptions.
The text of his letters is as follows.
Abellio
Mr Jonathan Denby
Head of Corporate Affairs
Abellio Greater Anglia
Norwich Railway Station, Station Approach
Norwich NR1 1EF 12th August 2014
Dear Mr Denby,
I write regarding the delays to Greater Anglia's service, both in general and specifically on Monday 11th August. I am advised that commuters in the Colchester area pay more for their travel to London than commuters from any equidistant area, and they have a right to expect a far better service than they currently receive.
Whilst the problems of the 11th owed to Network Rail over-runs, this led to another day of delays for long-suffering commuters in my constituency. This is an all-too-frequent occurrence, and whether delays are caused by Network Rail or by Greater Anglia the result is the same for rail users: unacceptable delays.
Further to my recent deliberations with your company, I write to ask what Greater Anglia is doing to prevent delays on the Colchester line. What is the company doing to minimise the delays caused by over-running work on the line? What engagement has Greater Anglia had with Network Rail in order to prevent further delays?
The current poor service cannot be allowed to continue.
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Sir Bob Russell
MP for Colchester
Network Rail
Mr Mark Carne
Chief Executive
Network Rail
Kings Place, 90 York Way
London N1 9AG 12th August 2014
Dear Mr Carne,
I write regarding the effect that Network Rail over-runs are having on commuters from my constituency, both in general and specifically on Monday 11th August. I am advised that commuters in the Colchester area pay more for their travel to London than commuters from any equidistant area, and they have a right to expect a far better service than they currently receive.
The problems of the 11th were because of Network Rail over-runs (as was a long list of previous delays) and this led to another day of delays for long-suffering commuters in my constituency. This is an all-too-frequent occurrence, and whether delays are caused by Network Rail or by Greater Anglia the result is the same for rail users: unacceptable delays.
I write to ask what Network Rail is doing to prevent delays on the Colchester line. What is the company doing to minimise the delays caused by over-running work on the line? Why is it so common that trains are being delayed because Network Rail are late in finishing work on the line?
The current poor service cannot be allowed to continue.
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Sir Bob Russell
MP for Colchester
Copies: Constituents