Robert Sturdy

Robert has asked Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis to clarify concerns about proposed changes to Peterborough’s rail service on the East Coast Main Line timetable. This is the letter he has sent him:

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you regarding the proposed changes to the East Coast Mainline timetable.  I understand that under the “Eureka” consultation brochure recently published by the East Coast Mainline Company that a number of timetable changes between London, Stevenage, Peterborough and the North East/Scotland have been suggested.

Peterborough, as a key rail interchange for the East of England, seems particularly badly affected and as an MEP for the Eastern Region I would invite you to consider the damaging effects that such timetable changes could have.  The reduction in passenger services could lead to:

•    Reduced connectivity
•    Increased overcrowding
•    Reduced attractiveness of rail
•    Increasingly poor perception of the East of England

I would be very interested to hear your views on whether the timetable changes will, by reducing the current frequency of services, have detrimental effects on commuters and businesses that use and rely on the East Coast Mainline services to and from Peterborough and Stevenage.   Furthermore, what guarantees are you able to give that they will not be adversely affected by the timetable changes?

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely

Robert Sturdy MEP