Angel Trains’ remit to decide on future of SWR ‘707s’ - Maynard

The future of the 30 Class 707 Desiro City units that are to be withdrawn by South Western Railway around two years after their delivery is a matter for Angel Trains, according to Rail Minister Paul Maynard.

The five-car dual-voltage electric multiple units were ordered by South West Trains in 2014, following the Government’s High Level Output Specification (HLOS) plan to introduce a ten-car railway to boost capacity on routes from London Waterloo. Angel Trains financed the £210 million fleet.

So far 14 trains are in the UK, with three pairs in traffic each day. All 30 must be here by the end of the year.

However, when First MTR was announced as the new operator of the SWR franchise, it ordered 90 Class 701 Aventras to replace the ‘707s’ as well as the Class 455 and Class 458 fleets.

Peter Kyle (Labour, Hove) asked if Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling would take steps to encourage the use of the ‘707s’ on coast routes in the South West once they are sent off-lease.

In a Commons Written Reply, Maynard said: “The future use of the Class 707 trains is a matter for the owner of the vehicles (Angel Trains Ltd).

“Our overall approach is to foster a healthy and highperforming rolling stock market that delivers value-for-money services for passengers.”