Eastleigh MP seeks pledge on station cuts

11.55.43am GMT Wed 18th Jun 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has written to South West Trains to seek assurances that there will not be cuts in service or staff at Eastleigh or other stations in the area.

Mr Huhne has written to South West Trains' chief executive saying that it is "very worrying" that South West Trains has embarked on a new consultation about cutting opening hours and staffing at ticket offices.

Local stations that will be affected by the proposals include Chandler's Ford, Netley, Swaythling, Swanwick, Woolston, St Denys, Totton and Hedge End. Overall, the plans would cut 118 station staff from the network.

According to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), Chandler's Ford station will be staffed for an hour less on weekdays, two hours less on Saturday and closed on Sunday. Hedge End station will be staffed for 1 hour a day less on weekdays, 4.75 hours a day less on Saturday, and closed on Sunday; Netley will be staffed for two hours less each weekday and closed all day Saturday and Sunday.

"These cuts would be appalling. If a ticket office is closed all weekend, and open only during the day on weekdays, it will clearly make it more difficult for people to buy tickets and secure the cheapest deals, and to get transport and travel advice. It will also raise fears about safety and vandalism" said Chris Huhne, shadow Liberal Democrat Home Secretary and Eastleigh MP.

"I will continue to press these matters in the Commons. This seems to me to be potentially a breach of South West Trains' franchise agreement, and I hope that Ministers will give the thumbs down to these plans."