Crawley MP Henry Smith has joined other area Members of Parliament at a meeting yesterday in Westminster with senior management from Govia Thameslink Railway, operators of the Southern and Thameslink rail networks.
 
Commenting afterwards Henry said;

"Following the meeting and further discussions I had with them just a fortnight ago, I’m still deeply concerned at their ability to ensure a suitable service to Crawley rail passengers – most of us who use the trains regularly will know that what has been provided in recent months just isn’t acceptable.
 
"While I welcomed £26 million of investment at Three Bridges, and the opening of the Thameslink traincare facility at the same station last year as well as new, longer trains now coming into service soon. I’ll continue to work alongside other MPs, GTR and the Government to ensure a better service is provided.
 
"It won’t come as a shock to any Crawley commuters to know that I almost missed the meeting because of a cancelled train!"
 
In Parliament, Henry has previously criticised the service on offer to local passengers, including during a debate specifically on Govia Thameslink and Network Rail in March 2016.
 
"The £6 billion Thameslink upgrade programme, with its new 12 carriage trains each carrying up to 1,750 people is welcome, but the ongoing disruption is untenable. While GTR have taken on more than 200 extra drivers, we’re not seeing an improved service due to the ongoing industrial action.
 
"The Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, wrote to local MPs yesterday, and I’m sharing this letter while continuing to press the point that all sides need to remember that it’s passengers who must come first."
 
Please click here to read the letter from the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, to Members of Parliament.