Tring and Berkhamsted united in Rail Protest

10.26.46pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th May 2009

Rail Protest

Commuters returning to Berkhamsted on 30th March were encouraged by the Tring and Berkhamsted Liberal Democrats who staged a protest against poor rail services and the high charges for travel and parking.

They were greeted by the Liberal Democrat Party National President, Baroness Ros Scott who had joined the protest at the start of the local Herts County Council election campaign. Baroness Scott is the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport in the House of Lords.

Baroness Scott said that "the franchise agreement the rail operator London Midland should be lengthened". This call is echoed by the Competition Commission which sees this as the most effective way to encourage Train Operating Companies to add capacity and cut fares.

Councillor Nick Hollinghurst (on the right of the picture) said, "Commuters in both towns are fed up at the poor service offered by London Midland and the high car parking charges which discourage off-peak rail use. At the moment the thousands of pounds that season tickets cost represent very poor value for money indeed. The County Council is a lead member of the Quality Rail Partnership which involving local authorities up and down the line. As a councillor on Herts County Council I will ensure that this body starts to live up to its name!"