Crispin Blunt MP has condemned the ongoing industrial action by the RMT and ASLEF on Southern Rail. He said:

“The unions are deliberately picking on and wrecking the vulnerable Southern network, already suffering from the London Bridge upgrade works and the need for infrastructure improvements, for political purposes. How dare the union leadership walk away from talks and refuse arbitration, whilst their members’ action bring so much misery to tens of thousands of people day after day? The stories I have received from constituents bring home the enormous human cost in terms of people losing jobs or having job offers withdrawn and in terms of missing medical appointments and losing time with family and friends at this busy time of year.

“I support Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport, in his approach, but I have called on him to do much more to provide a proper compensation package for rail users. I have asked Margot James, the Minister responsible for labour relations, to look at legislative options. I commend the Reigate, Redhill and District Rail Users’ Association for their efforts – they speak for the many constituents of mine who are enduring completely unnecessary hardship.

“Looking ahead, I met with Chris Gibb to stress the need for local infrastructure improvements, including new signals and points at Redhill and a longer platform at Reigate, and I have responded to the 2018 timetable consultation calling for more services on the Redhill and Reigate branches.

“I just hope that the union members will return to work”.