City MP Richard Graham has mixed views on last Thursday’s announcement that government negotiations on the extension of the CrossCountry franchise have been concluded.
Richard said “I’m pleased that formal talks have been concluded but am disappointed that decisions on services have been postponed until after a consultation, which could have happened before the existing franchise expired, and that any changes won’t be implemented until December 2017.”
“However we’ve had to live with reduced CrossCountry services for the last 10 years,” added Richard “and if we have to put up with one more year to get the right result then so be it. What matters now is that all of us who care about Gloucester connectivity and train services respond to the consultation and get this issue resolved. Local media and local councillors especially must join in if we want more services stopping in our city and I know the Rail Minister is listening carefully”
Details of the consultation will be published in due course.
