At Business Questions this week, I called for Parliament to hold a debate regarding the impact of crime on rail travel after cable theft caused havoc for commuters this Tuesday morning at Bristol Parkway.
Despite a swift response from Network Rail, the cable theft still resulted in more than 5,000 minutes of delays to trains and the total cost to the railway and to taxpayers will run into the hundreds of thousands for just one incident. On Tuesday evening, a second attempt to steal cabling was tried 100m down the line; however this was stopped due to motion sensors that have been installed.
It is important that effective contingency plans are in place to ensure disruption is always kept to a minimum and I am committed to ensuring that Network Rail deliver on their promises of action. If you experienced a disruption to your morning commute on Tuesday then please email me at jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01454 617783 so I can raise your experiences with the Department of Transport.