MP highlights commuter rail misery to Commons Leader

Andrew Selous told newly-appointed Leader, David Lidington, that he wanted the issue resolved swiftly.

In Thursday’s discussion, Mr Selous told Mr Lidington: “May we have an early debate about the troubles of Southern rail, which are causing significant problems not only for commuters south of London, but for my constituents ​coming in from Leighton Buzzard?

“Does he agree that the way to relieve the problems of commuters south of London is not to wreck the rail service north of London, but to pay attention to what needs to be done south of the river?

Mr Lidington responded that Mr Selous had made “a very important point” and that the Secretary of State for Transport and the new Rail Minister had already met the operators responsible for Southern train services and Network Rail.

He said: “They have emphasised the need for the operators to work with the trade unions to try to find a rapid and full solution to the current dispute, which is causing misery to many thousands of passengers every day.

“The Secretary of State is making the issue his personal priority and I hope very much that there will be a satisfactory resolution soon.”

Afterwards Mr Selous said: “It is not just commuters who travel to west London with Southern it is also the London Midland trains to Euston which are now getting considerably more crowded because of the cancellation of Southern services. I will keep pressing Transport Ministers until this issue is resolved.”