British Rail 'considering cuts in rush-hour services'

BRITISH RAIL passengers face cuts in services and more overcrowding because of loss of revenue caused by the recession and cuts in government grant, according to the rail users' watchdog, writes Christian Wolmar.

In a strongly-worded new year message, the Central Transport Consultative Committee warns that 'BR is working on a number of options for cuts in services'.

It says that on Network SouthEast, 'the significant loss of peak-hour passengers will lead to cuts in the number of rush-hour train services from May on some routes. A number of older trains will be scrapped or mothballed to reduce maintenance costs and some remaining services will be run with fewer coaches.'

The committee also criticises the removal of staff from more Network SouthEast stations, leaving many unstaffed.