Local MP Launches Rail Survey As South West Trains Wins Award

Published on: 29 Nov, 2016
Updated on: 14 Dec, 2016

Update December 14: A train survey launched by Guildford’s MP Anne Milton in November will close on Friday, December 23.

The survey has already received a large number of responses, and a wide range of opinions and suggestions have been submitted.

Ms Milton said: “I have been very interested to read all of the responses so far and it is wonderful that so many people have shared their views.

“It is clear that our train service is something which local people feel strongly about, with many things that people appreciate and many that people want to see improved. If you haven’t already, please do let me know your views!”

Original story: Guildford’s MP, Anne Milton, has today (November 29) launched an online survey to garner constituents views about local railway services from Guildford.

The survey looks at how and why local people make their journeys, their overall travel experience, and how they feel that the service can be improved.

The survey is available via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/guildfordtrainsurvey

Ms Milton, herself a regular commuter from Guildford to Westminster, who sometimes Tweets about her frustration at being unable to find a seat on her journeys, said: “Please do complete the online survey. There is nothing more frustrating than disruption to a journey to work or a place of leisure, however I know that many people are also very grateful to the help they get from the staff. Good or bad – please let me know your views!”

Anne Milton said: “Please do complete the online survey. There is nothing more frustrating than disruption to a journey to work or a place of leisure, however I know that many people are also very grateful to the help they get from the staff. Good or bad – please let me know your views.”

The survey is announced on the same day that South West Trains has won the Maintenance Team of the Year award at the National Rail Awards 2017.

The maintenance team, made up of six highly motivated depot units, have overseen a 22% increase in the reliability of trains over the last year and delays caused by maintenance problems are now the second lowest in the UK. South West Trains’ diesel fleet is also recognised as the most reliable in the country.

The judges, who announced the awards last night at a special dinner in London, said the South West Trains’ maintenance team was difficult to fault.

“South West Trains is a fast moving business, and it can’t afford to get things wrong. It is rewarding to know that the total replacement of the train fleet has taken place without any hiccups, a tribute to the design and outstandingly high standard of engineering maintenance.

“Good management is part of this and South West Trains is a worthy winner of the Maintenance Team of the Year award,” said the judges.

Stewart Palmer, South West Trains’ managing director, said: “Our maintenance team should feel proud that they have been recognised as leaders in their field.

“The professionalism and dedication that all these finalists and winners show on a daily basis is what makes me proud to be part of the South West Trains team.”

South West Trains, the UK’s biggest commuter rail network, runs nearly 1,700 trains a day out of London Waterloo. It is part of the South Western rail franchise, operated by Stagecoach Group, which also includes Island Line on the Isle of Wight.

Responses to Local MP Launches Rail Survey As South West Trains Wins Award

Anne Lowe Reply

November 29, 2016 at 6:38 pm

Travelled to London on Friday at 10.30 stood the whole way. Came back on Sunday 6pm stood all the way. Tickets are very expensive. I will drive next time.
Dave Fassom Reply

December 1, 2016 at 3:48 pm

New trains? Clearly they haven’t travelled on the Guildford to Waterloo via Cobham line.
David Wragg Reply

December 3, 2016 at 1:13 pm

‘Total replacement of the train fleet’ is incorrect. Most of the trains in service were there at the start of the franchise.

Those on the Guildford “New Line”, otherwise known as the Cobham line, are more than thirty years old, but did enjoy a major refurbishment which convinced many that they were actually new trains. They will be around for some time yet as they are considering giving them new motors.
David Wragg Reply

December 19, 2016 at 7:01 pm

There are limitations on what can be done to improve the railway services to and from Guildford.

First, and most obvious to commuters, is the flat junction at Woking. The Southern Railway, which electrified the line in 1937 had planned eventually to build either a ‘dive-under’ (the railway term for n underpass) or a flyover and land was left for this, but in more recent times, this was sold off for housing. The much less busy Cobham,or ‘Guildford New Line’, does have this feature when it joins the main line.

Second, the fast ‘up line’ between Surbiton and Waterloo is operating at full capacity and is the busiest stretch of main line in the UK.

Third, Waterloo will soon be rebuilt, with platforms 1-4 closed so that these can be extended. This means the existing platform arrangements will be shuffled and even with using the former Eurostar platforms, some restriction are possible.
Dave Middleton Reply

December 20, 2016 at 5:44 pm

I’m a very infrequent, recreational user of the rail network on South West Trains, for occasional tourist trip up to London perhaps two or three times a year, travelling off peak.

I have to say that I always get a seat and find the service punctual, the trains clean (aside from the mess and litter left by my fellow travellers, who should know better) and the railway staff polite and helpful, both at Guildford and Waterloo.