Latest News.

SWT Passenger Panel summon the Management

The Portsmouth 450 issue has been a constant agenda item on the SWT Passenger Panel agenda at recent meetings. As a result the Chairman, Sir Alan Greengross, has summoned SWT Managers to his next meeting to thrash out a solution. Andy Pitt the new Managing Director of SWT continues to focus his case on passenger loadings between Waterloo and Woking, which supposedly dictate stock formations. We must reiterate the case for separating long distance and suburban flows. Network South East did just that with a dedicated semi-fast service between Guildford and Waterloo via Woking calling also at Surbiton, Wimbledon and Clapham Junction. This relieved the loadings on Portsmouth expresses and, indeed, some of the Woking stops were omitted from Portsmouth trains. There is no rationale for suburban stock south of Guildford. See the Passenger Panel website for more information: http://www.swtpp.co.uk/

Portsmouth Rail Passenger Survey is conclusive

Nearly 1000 regular passengers between Portsmouth and Haslemere took part in a survey in March to gauge reactions about the service. The survey was conducted by Portsmouth City Council as both Passenger Focus and SWT had declined the opportunity. The results contained in the survey report entitled 'Uncomfortable Reading' [link] show conclusively that 98.5% passengers prefer to travel in the white Class 444 trains and 74% find it no easier to secure a seat in a Class 450 train.

The Leader of Portsmouth City Council has sent the report to the new Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond MP, inviting him to a meeting in the city to discuss reinstatement of proper mainline trains. A response is awaited.

Minister demands re-appraisal of passenger services

The new Secretary of State for Transport has announced that rail passenger services (know in official circles as High Level Output Specifications) are to undergo an urgent re-appraisal. The DfT reports that “These re-appraisals will comprise an update of the scheme’s business case, updating the passenger demand figures wherever possible, reconsidering the scope of the scheme and reviewing its affordability to ensure that it remains value for money”. This initiative provides a golden opportunity for rail passengers to have their say, via their MP.

Support from other Organisations

The No 450 Campaign’s aims are supported by Portsmouth City Council and Havant Borough Council The two rail groups, Haslemere Rail Users’ Group http://www.haslemere.com/hrug/ and Wessex Railfuture http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-page.php?pageName=RailFuture are giving maximum priority to the restoration of adequate Portsmouth trains.

New trains for SWT

Recent railway press reports reveal that SWT is to receive new rolling stock, or rather stock currently allocated to another company. The Class 460 trains, currently operating the Gatwick Express, are to be transferred to SWT. The company is denying all knowledge of this decision and the DfT remain extremely cagey – quote “…it is for the bidders to procure the rolling stock that will deliver the level of services specified. The Department does not, therefore, direct an operator in its deployment of rolling stock on a specific route.” Watch this space.

No 450 Campaigners conduct capacity survey

Members of the No 450 Campaign have conducted a survey of spare capacity on selected peak services out of Waterloo. Contrary to SWT’s figures, the counts show an average of 170 empty seats on the 1730 and 1800 services to Portsmouth, with a marked amount of space available at the front of the trains. Campaigners have noticed that Woking passengers arriving late at Waterloo tend to board the next available fast service near the barrier and are happy to stand for the short 25 minute journey. They conclude that high density Class 450 trains are not necessary on the Portsmouth route and that longer distance travellers should be allowed to have more seating space. Overcrowding only seems to occur in the event of delays, cancellations or short train formations. Apparently the DfT and Passenger Focus take no steps to verify capacity figures provided by SWT, nor do they have a say over what rolling stock is used.

Message from a No450 Supporter

The National Open Art Exhibition, held at The Minerva Theatre every November for the last 14 years is now regarded as one of the best annual art exhibitions outside London and draws paintings drawings and photography from entrants to the annual competition from across the UK. They have just started a new fund raiser in which you might get lucky and get your money back 5 times over!!
Their 100 club information can be found by emailing neillawsonbaker@aol.com who has been a supporter of the 450 campaign from its inception. See www.thenationalopenartcompetition.com