Bath MP says government must “put passengers first” and fix unreliable railways

Wednesday, 10 January 2024 15:42

On the 10th of January, Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath and spokesperson for Transport and Climate Change, joined a Westminster Hall debate on the future of the Great Western Main Line. The Bath MP spoke of her weekly trips on the railway line that runs between Bath and London Paddington and how she was yet to make a journey that was free from disruption. She shared the frustration of many Bath residents who had written to her to express their anger with the constant delays that...Request free trial

On the 10th of January, Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath and spokesperson for Transport and Climate Change, joined a Westminster Hall debate on the future of the Great Western Main Line.

The Bath MP spoke of her weekly trips on the railway line that runs between Bath and London Paddington and how she was yet to make a journey that was free from disruption. She shared the frustration of many Bath residents who had written to her to express their anger with the constant delays that take a toll on their commute to work.

The number of delay repay claims for GWR train journeys has more than doubled between November 2022 and November 2023. In addition to severe delays, commuters also face some of the highest rail fares, with the short journey between Bath and Bristol being the most expensive rail journey per mile in the world at one point.

Mrs Hobhouse expressed her concern that unless more was done to ensure that train journeys from Bath were on time, reliable and affordable, then people would have no choice but to look at other forms of transport, such as cars.

As Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Climate Change, Wera Hobhouse expressed her dismay at the delays over the electrification of the railway line through Bath which has been on hold for years. She slammed the Treasury for blocking a £30 billion plan to electrify Britain’s railways over the next 30 years which would be vital for reaching net zero targets.

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Transport and Climate Change, commented:

“Many of us in Bath are tired of having to depend on trains that are constantly delayed, pay excessive fares, or try to grapple with confusing ticketing apps. It is high time that the government put passengers first so we can be confident in our railways. Britain must have access to reliable, green and affordable trains.

“Electrifying Britain’s railways can transport us to net zero. Yet, the government is currently letting the opportunity to revolutionise green transport pass us by. We urgently need clarity and commitment from the government now on the future of our railways.”