Greater Reading Lib Dems

Following their successful motion to Council last month highlighting the poor performance of First Great Western (FGW) and calling for an urgent public meeting, the Lib Dems tonight urged Reading's Labour Council to hold a scrutiny meeting open to all as a priority at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's Corporate, Community and External Affairs Panel this evening. During the debate Labour and Tory councillors sought to limit public participation as they feared a public row:

Transport spokesman Cllr Ricky Duveen (who moved the original Lib Dem motion and led tonight's debate) said:

"This is the first real opportunity Reading's commuters have had to put FGW on the spot."

"We want FGW and Network Rail to draw up an action plan after the meeting. We hope that this meeting will be the start of a dialogue not just a one-off.

"The meeting must be in a large enough venue and in the evening so as many people who suffer from their lamentable train service can attend."

Commuting Redlands councillor Daisy Benson who also spoke in the meeting said:

"While we all welcome the revamp of Reading station and the improvements this will bring to travellers in the longer term, this isn't what we are talking about here: this meeting must not be a PR stunt."

"The meeting must focus on poor performance and what First Great Western will do to improve their dire train services in and out of Reading."

Editor's Notes:

RBC will be organising a one off scrutiny panel meeting which will take place in late May/early June. Details will be released by RBC shortly.

Greater Reading Lib Dems

News

Lib Dems press for full public participation to hold FGW to account
19 March 2008