No sign of improvement

The proposed improvements of four trains an hour and shorter journey times on the ReadingWaterloo line will prove to be no more than a chimera. The fact that the timetable put out for consultation refers to Platforms 4A and 4B does not inspire much confidence.

FirstGroup has so far failed to deliver the extra train per hour between Reading and Gatwick promised in its bid for the franchise, difficulties with level crossings being given as the reason for not meeting this commitment.

There are at least 12 level crossings between Reading and Waterloo, far more than between Reading and Gatwick. Eight of these, one of which passes over the busy A30 at Sunningdale, contributed to the demise of the Airtrack scheme. The same problem will be faced by the First/ MTR proposal.

A reduction in journey time from Reading of 12% is proposed. Does anyone travel from Reading to Waterloo, when it would be quicker to go via Paddington and the Bakerloo Line?

If we apply this 12% to Wokingham as an example of a place with more Waterloo-bound travellers, then the current 68 minutes should drop to 60 minutes. The timetable put out for consultation shows two trains an hour taking 70 minutes and two taking 66 minutes.

As for new trains, having recently endured journeys on Classes 700 and ‘800’, I would rather stick to the ‘458s’. They may have their faults, but at least I do not spend the journey fidgeting with discomfort. John Soer, Wokingham