Great Western Railway apologises as MP blasts "shambolic" delays
The Liberal Democrat said around 100 passengers were turned away after waiting for two hours for a train back to the county
Last updated 4th Nov 2024
Gloucestershire MP has blasted Great Western Railway’s service as a “total s**t show” amid delays and overcrowding on trains from London to Cheltenham and Gloucester.
Tewkesbury MP Cameron Thomas said GWR’s services from Paddington station back to the county were “absolutely shambolic” on October 30.
The Liberal Democrat said around 100 passengers were turned away after waiting for two hours for train back to the county.
“Absolutely shambolic from GWR at Paddington this evening,” he said on X. “No train to Cheltenham/Gloucester for two hours, and then the train is so small they turn circa 100 passengers away.
“Next train, another two hours. Total s**t show, get a grip GWR.”
Mr Thomas told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the problems affecting the railways are not limited to GWR.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been affected by GWR and it had a significant impact on my working week,” he said.
A Great Western Railway spokesman apologised for the delays on Wednesday evening. They said services were cancelled due to crew availability.
“We apologise to all those customers whose journeys were disrupted on Wednesday evening in the Cheltenham area.
“Unfortunately, two of our services were cancelled because of crew availability during the evening period but customers would have been able to travel via Bristol Parkway for connecting services towards London.
“Obviously for passenger who were delayed, compensation maybe due and we would encourage those affected to make a claim under the Delay-Repay scheme.
“We have also been in contact with Cameron Thomas to discuss this further.”