The Times - FGW legal action Warning

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

On the front page of Today's Times Newspaper

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2246667.ece

Britain^s worst-performing train company tried to silence the official passenger watchdog by threatening to sue it for libel for making a complaint about its poor performance.

London TravelWatch had written to Tom Harris, the railways minister, to ask whether First Great Western (FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) was in breach of its franchise agreement because almost a third of its commuter trains in the Thames Valley were late.

FGW has a target in its contract of 92 per cent of trains on time but managed only 68.3 per cent on its peak services.  ........

[snip]

The Government knew about First Great Western^s attempt to silence the watchdog, but took no action. Mr Harris has acknowledged Mr Cooke^s letter but has yet to answer any of the questions that it contains despite receiving it more than three weeks ago.

First Group, Britain^s biggest bus and train operator, has formed close links with senior Labour figures. It employs Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair^s former spokesman, to advise on ^strategic communications^ and has engaged David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, to chair a commission that is expected to give strong backing to the company^s yellow school buses. First Group has refused to say how much the two are paid.

[snip]

Yesterday a First Group spokesman said: ^We had made clear to London Travelwatch repeatedly that certain things they were saying had no basis. We are within our rights to defend our reputation.^

A DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) spokesman said: ^FGW^s performance has not been satisfactory for the passenger. Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail and FGW to address this.^

By doing this all First have done is made the situation and feelings towards them even worse and got them onto the front page of a National newspaper highlighting in case anyone didnt already know that they are the worst performing rail company in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). Good job their money is good otherwise the government would have stripped them of their franchise by now!

[martyjon]

As I am having a luchtime snack I am listening to Radio 4's You and Yours programme waiting for the item on this mornings Times FGW^▸ (First Great Western) article which was trailled at the beginning of the program.

Wonder if Moir Lockhead will now threaten legal action against the Times for printing todays front page article. It would make him what many people say he is, just add a B to his surname.

I will post a link to the programs listen again facility if the said article comes up as per the trail.

Program has now finished, didnt come up, or I missed it. Will listen again tonight to the program on Listen Again or did ML threaten BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) with legal action as well if they broadcast the item.

[martyjon]

I wonder if the complimentory copies of this morning Times were still made available to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) First Class passengers THIS morning.

[Timmer]

I wonder if the complimentory copies of this morning Times were still made available to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) First Class passengers THIS morning.

What a very good point. Anyone travel 1st today and not get a copy?

[Timmer]

I wonder if the complimentory copies of this morning Times were still made available to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) First Class passengers THIS morning.

What a very good point. Anyone travel 1st today and not get a copy? I bet FGW will be reviewing their bulk buy of The Times. Come back Telegraph all is forgiven.

Well Economy Klaus certainly did! Here is his rather amusing take on FGW's response to the story:

http://firstlatewestern.blogspot.com/2007/08/first-late-westerns-response-to-times.html

[martyjon]

First Great Western response to Times article (13/08/2007)

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=535

[martyjon]

London Travelwatch response to Times article (13/08/2007)

http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/news.php?id=500

[simonw]

Hi

Whilst I hate to side with FGW^▸ (First Great Western), many of the problems we face are not their responsibility, but Network Rails

For example

• Track capacity (Actual lines and signals)
• Station platform congestion

The Great Western area has the distinction of being the worst (or one of) funded during the British Rails years.

Mind you, it would help if FGW fleet was more reliable and employed more carriages for local and peak intercity routes.

[Timmer]

The Bath Chronicle, like many papers got in on this story today too:

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displayContent&sourceNode=227209&contentPK=18104492&folderPk=106757&pNodeId=227220#views

Of more interest is the comments from local passengers using services around Bath at the bottom of the page. Looks like the new barriers at Bath Spa arent going down too well.

[12hoursunday]

Hi

Whilst I hate to side with FGW^▸ (First Great Western), many of the problems we face are not their responsibility, but Network Rails

For example

• Track capacity (Actual lines and signals)
• Station platform congestion

The Great Western area has the distinction of being the worst (or one of) funded during the British Rails years.

Mind you, it would help if FGW fleet was more reliable and employed more carriages for local and peak intercity routes.

As a driver I get really ****** off when pulling into stations and certain punters start to inspect their watches with one eye on me after things like this http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/LiveUpdateItem.aspx?id=15033 happen