I MUST respond to two recent letters from readers concerning the Watford to Brighton service proposals where this association's name has been mentioned.
The first proposal from the Department of Transport was to curtail this service to run from Watford to Clapham Junction only.
This association, Harrow Council, the MPs and others strongly objected and this proposal from December 2008 was changed to be a Watford to East Croydon service.
Now Southern has stated it will be Milton Keynes to East Croydon needing four trains.
We have objected most strongly, stating that the main passenger demand is Watford to Gatwick Airport - which also needs only four trains. Passenger usage clearly supports this view and cannot be denied by the operators.
Comment has been made about advice concerning assistance available to passengers changing at Clapham Junction.
This association has never given any advice on that matter as we have always doubted Network Rail's comments on this.
If any of your readers have experience of actual assistance being given at Clapham Junction I would like to hear about it please.
I can assure all readers that we will continue to fight until we get a service between Watford and Gatwick Airport. We will also continue to press for an all-day service with either longer trains or a more frequent service.We also believe that these trains should call at Wembley Central.
ANTHONY WOOD
Chairman Harrow Public Transport Users
Association
