From eWatford Observer


New London train services for Bushey Station

Thursday 24th March 2011
By Michael Pickard*

Rail passengers travelling to and from Bushey Station can soon enjoy
evenings out in the capital without worrying about getting home.
London Midland*and Network Rail confirmed this week that the fourth
platform at the station, in Chalk Hill, will be reopened, allowing a
greater number of trains from London Euston station to stop there on
weekends.
Weekend engineering works have meant that platforms were not available
for later evening services to stop at Bushey on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sunday morning services were also affected.
However, Network Rail expects the works to be completed for the
December 2011 timetable.
About 80 people heard the good news at an Oxhey neighbourhood forum,
held at St Matthew’s Church Hall, in St Matthew’s Close, on Monday.
Watford Borough Councillor*Shirena Counter, who has led a long-running
campaign for better rail service to and from Bushey Station, said it
was “fantastic news”.
She held a series of meetings with London Midland after winning a
battle for additional rush-hour trains to stop at Bushey last year.
She said: “There have been lots of issues and as a train user myself,
it’s been really difficult. London Midland has had their own
challenges and it’s not just down to them. It’s not that straight
forward.
“Trains are infrequent during the week and then stop at about 7pm on
Saturdays. Then you cannot go into London until about 12.30pm on
Sundays so it was really quite restrictive.
“We will get a much better service in the evenings than we have got.
“At the moment, every time there’s a problem with engineering works
you can never stop at Bushey so you either have to get a slow train or
double-back from*Watford Junction*so journey times are a complete
nightmare.”
Until the new timetable comes into force, London Midland are also
considering waiving the extra fare that passengers travelling to
Bushey are forced to pay if they must double-back from Watford.
Councillor Counter added: “It’s going to make a big difference. It
will result in a much better service.”
Nicola Moss, London Midland head of franchise management, said: “We’re
delighted to be able to respond to local demand and work with Network
Rail to ensure we can reintroduce later evening stops at Bushey.
“This is great news for passengers in Bushey.
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John Burke
WRUG