LAST year I wrote to Southern Trains on behalf of Wembley and Brent based-residents when they were considering running trains only to Clapham Junction, and not East Croydon.

This would have made journeys extremely difficult for those travelling to Gatwick who are disabled or travelling with heavy luggage or buggies.

Southern agreed to keep running the trains to East Croydon at off-peak as well as peak times.

However, the service through Wembley Central still remains peak-hours only, and I feel that Brent residents deserve, and there is a strong case for, a more comprehensive ser-vice than this.

Unlike other major London transport improvements, there would be no operational or infrastructure problems in running more trains through central Wembley.

By introducing a fuller service, Southern would both improve the link to Gatwick, and encourage more people to use public transport.

More regular trains would also make it much easier for people from other areas to visit the National Stadium by public transport with ease.

We did well to keep the East Croydon link going to serve those heading for Gatwick, but I see no reason not to press further in the interests of local residents.

I hope that Southern will recognise the demand for a regular stopping service connecting Wembley with Gatwick, Milton Keynes and other areas and enabling smooth travel for those travelling to and from Gatwick as well as for those who wish to make the most of what the stadium offers.

I would be happy to hear from read-ers about it. My e-mail address is cllr.valerie.brown@brent.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR VALERIE BROWN

Wembley Central Liberal Democrat councillor