PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
South Western Railway proposed timetable changes (19 September 2021)

That this House acknowledges the new timetable proposed by South Western Railway, due to come into effect in December 2022; laments that the proposed timetable amounts to a significant reduction in services; notes that current passenger behaviour is not yet representative of post-pandemic demand for public transport; further notes the importance of ensuring that service levels reflect post-pandemic passenger demand; recognises that accepted housing developments in areas near to potentially impacted rail stations have been designed in accordance with pre-pandemic service levels; further recognises South West Railway’s analysis that leisure journeys will return to pre-pandemic levels; expresses concern that at this time of climate crisis, rail services are vital in reducing emissions from private vehicles; believes that announcements on proposed changes should be withheld to avoid incentivising commuters towards more polluting forms of transport; and calls on the Department for Transport to make the necessary interventions to protect heavily relied upon South Western Railway services.

Sponsored by:
Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat)