Laws blasts staff cuts

7:20pm Friday 1st August 2008

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MP DAVID Laws has launched a renewed attack on South-West Trains over plans to cut staffing hours.

The Yeovil MP claimed the company has been ‘underhand’ in the way it consulted the public over the move, set to affect 114 stations, including Crewkerne and Yeovil Junction.

South-West Trains announced that ticket office hours are to be cut in stations across the region, with the loss of 118 jobs.

Mr Laws has signed a Parliamentary motion opposing the decision and has called on transport secretary Ruth Kelly to block plans.

In a letter to the minister, the Lib Dem slammed the company for its handling of the consultation period.

He said: “I have written to the secretary of state to ensure that the government fully understands the problems with these plans, and the way in which South-West Trains have conducted themselves.”

“The consultation period is very short, and the posters initially displayed at stations announced that the staffing hours were to be cut – only in the small print did it suggest that there was a consultation.”

However South-West Trains maintain that the public has been well informed about the plans.

Spokesman Simone Spinks said: “The length of the consultation period is set by the Department for Transport and before the public consultation phase there was consultation with Passenger Focus and the Department for Transport, going back to the end of May.

“The proposals have been deliberately well-publicised so that people have good opportunity to feed in their views.”

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