All change on the trains

As a transport professional, I have previously contacted the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding this withdrawal after reading about it in the specialist press.

As you say, the DfT did not specify this group of services for potential franchise operators to bid against, therefore, the franchise winner, South West Trains, has no obligation to run the services and, even if they may be willing, would have to do so with DfT authority and entirely on a commercial basis (no subsidy).

When I wrote to the DfT, they said that passenger surveys had been undertaken in autumn, 2005, that indicated most journeys on the service were local.

I responded (without reply to date), asking specifically about numbers travelling where there is no replacement through service.

As you say, through-passengers will now have to change at Portsmouth/Fratton or Fareham, and the connectional margins are not known.

Also, for Reading, two changes will be necessary without a longer journey via Southampton.

As for any consultation with key statutory bodies on the route (e.g. WSCC), I am not aware of any taking place.

Clearly, the new service pattern for trains run by Southern will change to, I feel, the detriment of the area:

No through trains from Littlehampton to Brighton

Reduction from two to one train per hour to Fareham

No through service from Haywards Heath to west of Litlehampton

This is a clear example of the DfT specifying services for the financial benefit of the department (less subsidy), and less consideration of passengers needs, and, therefore, reduced encouragement to use public transport.

Perhaps one of our MPs has a view and can take this matter further.

Trevor Cordrey

Worthing