Pile-on over nightmare South West train services

MPs from across the South West have discussed the ongoing crisis of rail performance with a call for action in the region. Issues surrounding Great Western Railway (GWR), industrial disputes, infrastructure challenges and the pressing need for better rural connectivity were at the heart of the MPs' statements.

For constituents in the South West, persistent cancellations, delays, and overcrowding have become not just a frustration but a barrier to economic activity and personal convenience.

Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, laid out the Government’s plan for reform during the debate this week, painting a bleak picture of the system they inherited.

"After 14 years of neglect," Ms Haigh said, "our inheritance was a railway that was failing its passengers, with cancellations at a 10-year high and punctuality that is consistently inconsistent across the network."

She said the government's commitment was to long-term reform and immediate action, explaining that public ownership alone was not the solution and stressing the need for Great British Railways (GBR) as a unified system.

Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon, raised a pressing issue about staffing deficiencies that have worsened GWR’s reliability in her constituency.

She shared an example of a passenger forced to wait until the next day to travel due to Sunday cancellations.

Mrs Smith criticised the lack of contractual obligations for GWR drivers to work on Sundays, which she said leads to frequent last-minute cancellations.

“What plans does the Secretary of State have to equalize driver contracts under Great British Railways, to ensure that routes such as Paddington to Devon are fully staffed seven days a week?” she asked, urging a solution that would honour the Government's promise to passengers.

Louise Haigh acknowledged the problem, stating: “The hon. Lady is absolutely right, and unfortunately that is the picture across too much of our railways. The workforce terms and conditions are simply not fit for purpose, we will come back to the House shortly to set out our progress”.

Another key issue for the region’s rail performance came from Dr Andrew Murrison, Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire. He highlighted the notorious “Tisbury loop” west of Salisbury, which has significantly lengthened journey times in the South West, and questioned why such a “low-cost” improvement remained unaddressed.

Mr Murrison went so far as to ask Ms Haigh to make herself “a heroine in the South West” by resolving the issue that impacts so many regional commuters and travellers.

Ms Haigh replied that she would look into the issue, delegating it to the Rail Minister for further examination.

Several MPs, including Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, and Max Wilkinson, MP for Cheltenham, described the far-reaching impact of the driver shortage on weekend services.

Mrs Hobhouse said that for Bath, GWR cancellations and delays had become the “new norm,” especially on Sundays, due to a shortage of drivers. She asked the Secretary of State when her constituents could expect relief from this “rest day working” issue, a critical gap in the rail service’s reliability.

Max Wilkinson added a colourful critique of GWR’s schedule, referring to it as “a work of fiction akin to ‘Chuggington,’” drawing attention to insufficient carriage capacity on weekday routes.

He shared his own experience of standing by the toilet for 90 minutes due to overcrowding—a situation all too familiar for regular GWR users in his constituency. Mr Wilkinson asked for reassurances that GBR reforms would address the shortfall of carriages and improve the overall commuter experience.

Ms Haigh responded by acknowledging the fragmentation in rolling stock that has led to inefficiencies, hinting that GBR’s centralised oversight could allow for a streamlined approach to train procurement and deployment across the network. She promised to follow up with a detailed response to Wilkinson’s specific concerns.

Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury & Somerton, touched upon an issue faced by more rural constituents who are isolated from the main rail lines. She shared the story of a family in Curry Rivel who, despite their need, must travel over half an hour to reach the nearest train station. Ms Dyke called on the Government to include rural areas in their infrastructure planning, stressing that better connectivity is essential for economic and social well-being.

Ms Haigh responded by outlining plans for a comprehensive infrastructure strategy to be rolled out next spring. She assured that rural connectivity was a priority, as the Government worked to integrate transportation planning across sectors to meet housing and growth targets alongside rail improvements.

In the far southwest, the HS2 project has presented unique challenges. Andrew George, MP for St Ives, voiced frustration on behalf of his constituents who, while receiving none of HS2’s direct benefits, will experience up to six years of disruption due to construction work at Old Oak Common.

Mr George urged the Secretary of State to minimise the impact and suggested a meeting with concerned MPs.

Ms Haigh acknowledged the concerns and offered a meeting with either herself or the Rail Minister to discuss the mitigation of HS2-related disruptions, demonstrating an openness to collaboration on minimising the negative effects on South West services.