Hoon is dodging the issue, say Bolton commuters
10:10pm Tuesday 17th February 2009 in Search Module
Commuters standing in a crowded train
TRANSPORT Secretary Geoff Hoon today answers the questions from The Bolton News readers.
Earlier this month, we sent our dossier to the minister in the hope of addressing the problems faced by hundreds of commuters in Bolton every morning.
But despite spending almost two weeks answering them, readers say they feel short-changed by Mr Hoon’s responses.
When asked if overcrowded trains were a health and safety concern, Mr Hoon — who, as Transport Secretary, is in charge of the UK’s transport infrastructure — said that it was possible to be “safe but uncomfortable in crowded trains”.
He went on to blame a lack of investment in the railways by previous governments for the overcrowding and vandals for the shocking state of the region’s rail carriages.
Simon Pearce, of Bromley Cross, who asked what could be done to force franchisees such as Northern Rail to clean up carriages, said: “I am disappointed with the answer because he hides behind policy and spin. He mentions how there is a robust quality service regime in place, but how many people actually know what one of those is?
“He blames vandals, but what I asked about was torn-up lino, toilets that don’t work and windows you cannot see out of. He does not answer the question at all.”
Diane Hawkins, of Lostock, said: “How can he say that you can be safe but uncomfortable on over-crowded trains? They are dangerous and if the train was to crash, then it would be disastrous.”
Mrs Hawkins asked why peak services to Lostock had been cut just months after thousands of pounds were spent on extending the car park. Mr Hoon said despite the four peak services being cut, the timetable changes were good news because of an increase in long-distance services and other routes across the whole network.
But Mrs Hawkins hit back: “He has completely avoided the question asked and instead put forward answers which we have come to expect from people like Geoff Hoon.
“The extra services across the network are not good news for the people of Lostock, who now have to travel to Bolton or Horwich. Maybe he should use these trains on a regular basis.”
Mr Hoon also dodged the question of increasing the full-to-bursting capacity by continually saying Northern Rail would receive 160 extra carriages by 2014 as part of a nationwide programme.
But he also admitted that longer trains could not be used until certain platforms were extended — something which has not yet been planned by Network Rail.
Bolton North East MP David Crausby said: “I have consistently argued that the rail service between Bolton and Manchester needs more investment to tackle over-crowding at peak times. We need these changes as soon as possible and I will continue to campaign for them.”
