Train delays get worse

3.51.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 2nd Mar 2005

PPC Laura Murphy, "Long suffering rail passengers are getting a raw deal."

Delays on South Eastern train services have doubled since Labour came to power, new analysis by the Liberal Democrats shows.

Tunbridge Wells prospect parliamentary candidate Laura Murphy says:

"These figures will come as no surprise to long-suffering local rail passengers.

"Conservative privatisation left the railways in a mess, but Labour hasn't solved the problems. In fact they've got worse.

"When Labour came to power in 1997 12% of South Eastern train services arrived late. Now it is an astonishing 24%, nearly a quarter of all services!

"Across Britain, rail passengers have lost more than 10,000 years of their lives on delayed trains since Labour came to office. Delays to passengers alone have cost the nation's economy dear, with a figure of around £1 billion over the seven years.

Every major network in the country has declined under Labour.

"Liberal Democrats would get the railways working again. We will streamline the system, with fewer, larger franchises given longer contracts in return for more investment and better services."