Description
Jerrold Donington
I am 65 years old and suffer from a medical condition called Spinal Stenosis which causes my legs to go numb and makes walking difficult. I got on the 15.42 train at Paddington today, with destination Twyford. The train left from platform 13 which is a huge walk from the main concourse at Paddington. Then the train was a very noisy diesel (as usual) which stopped at almost every station en route (as usual) until I could get off at Maidenhead.
So here is my complaint:
a) Why do most of the trains to Maidenhead go from platform 13 or 14 which is the most remote part of Paddington and requires a very long walk? This can be very tiring for me.
b) Why do we still have noisy diesels on this route? The noise is unpleasant and very loud. In all the years of travel between Maidenhead and Paddington (since 1997) there has been no reduction in this appalling noise.
c) Why are there so few fast trains between Maidenhead, Slough and Paddington during the day - when Maidenhead is a major station?
d) Now let me add another complaint to this list. Why isn't an extra coach added to the train to cope with extra passengers during the Olympics? When I travelled up to London earlier today, a lot of people had to stand between West Drayton and Ealing Broadway. This happens all the time.
I know that the MP for Maidenhead & Windsor Theresa May lobbied for an improvement to the train service from Maidenhead and asked for more fast trains, but it appears that nothing has been done. I am frankly appalled.
Problem History
- 1 Jerrold Donington reported the issue on FixMyTransport. close 17:49 09 Aug 2012 #
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2
Jerrold Donington wrote to First Great Western Railway
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17:49 09 Aug 2012
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Here is the letter that Jerrold Donington wrote.
Noisy, slow, overcrowded, unpleasant journey.
I am 65 years old and suffer from a medical condition called Spinal Stenosis which causes my legs to go numb and makes walking difficult. I got on the 15.42 train at Paddington today, with destination Twyford. The train left from platform 13 which is a huge walk from the main concourse at Paddington. Then the train was a very noisy diesel (as usual) which stopped at almost every station en route (as usual) until I could get off at Maidenhead.
So here is my complaint:
a) Why do most of the trains to Maidenhead go from platform 13 or 14 which is the most remote part of Paddington and requires a very long walk? This can be very tiring for me.
b) Why do we still have noisy diesels on this route? The noise is unpleasant and very loud. In all the years of travel between Maidenhead and Paddington (since 1997) there has been no reduction in this appalling noise.
c) Why are there so few fast trains between Maidenhead, Slough and Paddington during the day - when Maidenhead is a major station?
d) Now let me add another complaint to this list. Why isn't an extra coach added to the train to cope with extra passengers during the Olympics? When I travelled up to London earlier today, a lot of people had to stand between West Drayton and Ealing Broadway. This happens all the time.I know that the MP for Maidenhead & Windsor Theresa May lobbied for an improvement to the train service from Maidenhead and asked for more fast trains, but it appears that nothing has been done. I am frankly appalled.
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[First Great Western Railway problem reporting email]
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Ref: 6679317
Dear Mr Donington
Thank you for contacting us via FixMyTransport.com. I was sorry to read that you are not happy with the service that is provided on the route between London Paddington and Maidenhead. I have addressed your points below.
A) At Paddington we have to make best use of Platforms available, where possible services will use Platform 10/11 but as Paddington is particularly busy this isn't always possible. Network Rail who own and manage the station do have a buggy service that can help you, you can book this ahead of time by calling 0800 197 1329
B) The Turbo trains which operate this route are fit for purpose and have been refreshed to improve the conditions on board. Once the Crossrail project is finished this will give an alternative to the Turbo services.
C) We do not currently have the rolling stock available to enhance the service at Maidenhead, so extra fast services aren't currently possible, but we always look at ways to improve timetable where possible.
D) For the 2012 Games we strengthened and provided additional services where possible, but unfortunately due to capacity and rolling stock availability it's not possible to do this for all services. Where possible we had some services make additional stops in order to help with crowds.
I hope this has been able to help explain and thank you again for getting in touch.
Yours sincerely
Oliver Evans
Customer Relations
First Rail Holdings Limited. Registered in England No. 5154485. Registered office: 50 Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6LG.
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5
Myf Nixon advised Jerrold to write to Paul Lion.
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12:01 22 Aug 2012
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Hello Jerrold,
FixMyTransport Admin here. Apologies for the delay in replying to the email you sent the FixMyTransport team.
You mention above that Theresa May has campaigned for better trains on this line. Have you considered contacting her yourself to see if there's any hope?
You may also wish to contact your local councillors, who have a specific remit to ensure that local public transport is meeting their constituents' needs. I'll provide email addresses for both.
This is Paul Lion's contact email. I've chosen him at random from the three you have available - see http://www.writetothem.com/who?pc=SL6+1EW+. If you don't get a good reply from him, you might try the others.
Theresa May's email to follow in my next communication.
Good luck!
Myf Nixon
anorakadmin -
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Myf Nixon advised Jerrold to write to Theresa May.
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12:02 22 Aug 2012
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Here is Therea May's contact email address. Hope you get a response!
anorakadmin
Problem Reporter
