MP to pursue National Express brake complaints

Jul 8 2009 by Beverley Pearson, The Journal

AN MP has vowed to pursue complaints against the National Express East Coast service made to him by a constituent.

Junior transport minister Paul Clark will be consulting unions after he was approached by National Express staff afraid a “major accident” on the line “is just around the corner”.

The Gillingham MP has also said he is prepared to go to the Office of Rail Regulation, at his constituents’ request, following accusations trains were in use with defective brakes due to reduced maintenance checks. A letter written by Mr Clark said the situation was in part the result of staff cutbacks. Last night Mr Clark told The Journal he had felt “reassured” by the reply he had received from National Express managing director Susan Goldsmith, which said safety on the line was not compromised, but his priority was ensuring the public felt at ease over the matter.

The MP said: “When my constituents brought these allegations to me, I wanted their concerns addressed immediately with National Express and requested an urgent response.

“I was reassured by some of the information in National Express’s letter, but I know full well that an exchange of letters may not allay the concerns of the travelling public and my constituents.

“People will want to know where I go next with this and it’s important that I consult my constituents before coming to a firm decision. If they remain concerned, I remain concerned. Like any half-decent local MP, when a constituent alerts me to a problem, I act.

“I will be suggesting to my constituents that further representations could be made to the Office of Rail Regulation, the independent safety regulator for Britain's railways; and National Express, as the franchise holders.”

In a letter to the franchise operators dated May 14 this year, Mr Clark wrote: “As a result of reduced maintenance checks, some long-haul trains are in use with brake defects,” before expressing his “shock”.

However, National Express said it would “never compromise on safety”.

And in a reply two weeks later, the managing director of the East Coast mainline, Susan Goldsmith, vehemently denied safety had been compromised and said there had been no changes to the nature or frequency of the procedures in checking and maintaining brakes.

But the firm did acknowledge there had been problems with coffee machines after complaints that chemicals had been left behind after cleaning.

Mr Clark has confirmed he will discuss the matter with the Rail and Maritime Transport union and Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association.

National Express employ up to 30 people in his constituency.

“It’s important to me that they are satisfied,” the minister added.

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