Have your say on the Great Western rail franchise
28 May 2014 10:21 AM
The network is set to be
transformed over the next 5 years through a multi-billion pound programme of
investment.
Passengers in the south-west are
being asked for their views on the future of rail services across the region as
the government considers how the Great Western franchise can best support the
massive investment planned for the network.
Train services between London,
Wales and many of the towns and cities of the south-west are set to be
transformed through a multi-billion pound programme of investment, which will
see extensive electrification of the Great Western route and the roll out of
new state-of-the-art electric trains.
To ensure the franchise best
meets the needs of passengers, a consultation has been launched to help decide how rail services will be
managed over the next 5 years.
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond
said:
These are exciting times for the
Great Western franchise. Extensive electrification, new state-of-the-art trains
and the introduction of Crossrail services will deliver a world-class railway
that improves services for passengers and drives economic
growth.
To make sure we make the most of
this massive investment we want to hear from anyone who has an interest in
these vital routes. This is further proof of our commitment to put passengers
at the heart of our franchising system.
The Great Western network is set
for a series of major works over the next 5 years, including:
- electrification of the Great
Western Main Line from London to Wales and the Thames Valley lines as part of a
£7.5 billion upgrade of the network
- the delivery of 369 new
state-of-the-art carriages as part of the government’s £5.7 billion
Intercity Express Programme as well as an electric fleet for the Thames Valley
lines
- the introduction of new trains
as part of the multi-billion pound Crossrail project
The Great Western franchise
delivers 97 million passenger journeys annually and caters to commuters,
business and leisure customers. High-speed trains service London, south Wales,
the Cotswolds and the West Country as well as semi-fast services throughout the
Thames and Kent Valley and between Reading and Gatwick
Airport.
The consultation will run to June 26 2014.