Crispin Blunt MP has welcomed the Government’s £300m funding boost for improvement works to improve the resilience of the Southern and Thameslink railway networks. He commented:

“The Government has recognised that there are underlying infrastructure failings which have caused poor performance on the Brighton Mainline. In September the Transport Secretary announced a £20 million improvement fund appointed rail expert Chris Gibb to identify ways to address resilience problems. I am glad that this has led to a significant further increase in investment. I have stressed to Chris Gibb the importance of a funding for the Redhill and Reigate lines, calling for a new platform at Reigate Station to enable direct services to London, a flyover at Stoats Nest to allow trains using the Redhill line to cross over onto the fast track towards London, and re-tracking of the area just south of Redhill station.”

The ongoing industrial action, however, has caused more misery this week. Crispin Blunt said:

“Rail users are now at their wits end. The impasse must end and the strikes must stop. I am calling for talks to continue to find an urgent resolution and for strike action to be suspended. The Reigate, Redhill and District Rail Users’ Association have identified ideas for a possible agreement, which are worthy of consideration.

“We need a new start now with the unions, Southern Rail, Network Rail and the Department for Transport all working together to put the passengers first. We have a new start on infrastructure investment. We now need a resolution of the disputes and a settlement on fair fares and compensation.”

Crispin Blunt has also written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to intervene on fares and compensation. The letter says:

“… it is within the Government’s control to do something about fares and compensation on this part of the railway because of the nature of the franchise agreement with Govia Thameslink Railway. The agreement is a management contract whereby the ticket revenues are passed directly to the Government rather than retained by Govia. Given the scale of these revenues, estimated to be £2.9 billion from 2015/16 to 2021/22 (though likely to be lower due to the industrial action), it is now necessary for the Government to be prepared to set aside a significant proportion of these revenues for the purpose of properly compensating passengers and reducing fares…

“Given the scale and persistence of the disruption suffered since the beginning of 2015, one month’s compensation announced on 2nd December and the extension of Delay Repay to provide some compensation after 15 minute’s delay doesn’t remotely cut it.”

• Network Rail announcement of £300 million funding

• Letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer

• Crispin Blunt’s website update on railways