Following last week's meeting with South West Trains, Maria met Transport Minister Claire Perry today calling on Government to support urgent action to cut unacceptable levels of overcrowding on Basingstoke trains. Mainline trains into Waterloo run regularly with standing room only at peak time despite South West Trains promises of more, longer trains.

Maria said, “Basingstoke residents face unacceptable levels of overcrowding on trains everyday, with standing room only at peak times. Network Rail know we need a 60% increase in passenger space on Basingstoke mainline trains if the trains are to cope with increased numbers of passengers anticipated in the next twenty five years.

“Basingstoke needs more, faster, longer trains now, with wifi that works, to cut unacceptable overcrowding and help passengers use their time productively. We also need to see an increase in the reliability of the train links to Reading and west through to Salisbury.

“It is difficult to see how further significant house building can be agreed in Basingstoke without the investment to expand and improve the railways too. More and more of the people moving into Basingstoke are relying on the train as part of their commute yet the mainline through Basingstoke has seen some of the lowest levels of investment in the country over the past four decades. Even Network Rail plans for a new station at Chineham have not been followed through despite record levels of employment in the area.

“Basingstoke into Waterloo is the only part of the entire British train network to make a profit, yet we have seen some of the lowest levels of investment in the country. This has to change. Residents want to see change and an end to the cattle class experience on peak time trains.”