Govia Thameslink Franchise

Lord Herbert of South Downs Excerpts
Wednesday 18th July 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The professor has helped us, and that is very useful.

Lord Herbert of South Downs Portrait Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) (Con)
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Some 2,400 trains have been cancelled at Hassocks, in my constituency, since the introduction of the new timetable. The interim timetable this week seems to have resulted in fewer cancellations, so it is an improvement, but trains are still being delayed. What it has not done is to restore the direct service from Hassocks to Clapham Junction, and Hassocks is unique among commuting stations in no longer having such a service. Will my hon. Friend undertake to look at the matter again and ask GTR to review that omission, with a view to putting it right in future timetable changes?

Lord Johnson of Marylebone Portrait Joseph Johnson
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I thank my right hon. Friend for recognising that there has been some improvement since the introduction of the interim timetable on Sunday. He has been a strong champion of his constituents and their rail services in Hassocks. He and I have discussed how we can restore the direct services that he has mentioned on several occasions, and we have had debates on them in the House. I assure him that I will continue to raise the matter with GTR.