05.08.16
More London Bridge delays add to GTR’s misery
Another hole under the tracks at Forest Hill led to services into London Bridge being cancelled last night.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) advised passengers on its Southern and Thameslink services to avoid using the station as Network Rail engineers worked to repair the hole.
Another hole at the same point, linked to a collapsed sewer, led to two days of disruptions last month.
Robert Coulson, Network Rail’s acting area director, said: “I’m really sorry that passengers have had to put up with this disruption today and I know that people are upset.”
Services have now been restored, but the closure is the latest in seemingly endless misery for GTR.
The latest performance and punctuality measure (PPM) figures show GTR remains at the bottom of the table for UK rail companies, with its PPM at just 70.4%.
Southern has been forced to cancel 341 services a day to try to prevent unpredictable delays.
In addition, GTR is in last-minute talks to avoid a five-day strike on Southern services next week by RMT, and Aslef and TSSA are also balloting their staff over the possibility of strikes.
GTR has faced calls for the Southern franchise to be transferred to Transport for London if it fails to get control of the situation.
The latest delays may be due to causes beyond anyone’s control, but it’s vital that Network Rail, GTR and other TOCs implement management structures which leave them as prepared as possible to minimise the disruption to passengers.
(Image c. Network Rail and PA Images)
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