Metro mayor Norris seeks answers over GWR high-speed trains fiasco
❝ I appreciate that safety checks are under way for Hitachi trains and that trains are being reallocated from other parts of the country. I recognise the network management challenges that this will bring Metro mayor Dan Norris
THE new West of England metro mayor Dan Norris has been sworn into office – and immediately demanded answers from GWR over the Hitachi highspeed trains fiasco.
Pledging to be a “more visible mayor who gets things done”, Mr Norris has written an open letter to the operator’s boss wanting to know how it will help passengers left stranded in the region.
GWR is advising people not to travel and has cancelled services from Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway to London Paddington, South Wales, Gloucestershire, Somerset and beyond after cracks were discovered in the new Hitachi Class 800 high-speed trains.
It has withdrawn all the trains from service to carry out urgent safety checks after fractures were discovered in the damping mechanism that stops the train from rocking at high speeds, returning them back onto routes as soon as they have the all-clear.
The operator says replacement trains will be “extremely limited”.
In a letter to GWR managing director Mark Hopwood on Monday, Mr Norris said: “As the new metro mayor I am writing for an update on the situation with West of England Intercity Express train services. I understand that the vast majority of services are still not operating today.
“I appreciate that safety checks are under way for Hitachi trains and that trains are being reallocated from other parts of the country.
“I recognise the network management challenges that this will bring.
“Please can you update me on the progress of the mitigation measures for the West of England and advise when full service highspeed services are likely to begin again.
“I am very keen to understand what further mitigation measures to support passengers are being considered in the meantime and how we can reassure our communities on the future safety of train services.”
GWR has said in a statement that local rail services that do not use the Hitachi high-speed trains are unaffected but will be “extremely busy”.
It said at the weekend: “A number of Class 800 series Hitachi trains in use by several train companies have been withdrawn from service for precautionary safety checks.
“As a result we have had to cancel a significant number of long-distance train services on Saturday, May 8, and disruption is expected to continue on Sunday, May 9, and into the following week.
“Train timetables are presently being worked on and will be published as soon as possible.
“While local services are running, we expect them to be very busy. Rail replacement services are extremely limited.
“The problem continues to be investigated by Hitachi and once trains have been checked and cleared, we hope to be able to release them back into service as soon as possible. A further update will be provided in due course.”
The operator said refunds would be given.
Mr Norris was officially sworn into office on Monday as the region’s second metro mayor following his surprise election victory over second-place Conservative Samuel Williams, taking the role away from the Tories.
He said: “I’m honoured to be elected as metro mayor for the West of England, an area I am very proud to call home.
“I will be a more visible metro mayor who gets things done and raises the profile of the region on the national and global stage, making sure we get the recognition we need and deserve.
“I will hit the ground running with a jobs and skills summit in my first 100 days and my Green Recovery Plan.
“Over the coming weeks I will be out and about across the region, meeting people and listening carefully to their views.”
The metro mayor leads the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) which oversees strategic planning, housing, transport, skills and business.