Network Rail & FGW Must Start Talking to Avoid Rugby Mayhem

3.50.03pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Aug 2007

Commenting on the reports that thousands of rugby world cup fans could be stranded in Cardiff overnight due to the lack of train services after the World Cup quarter final match on Saturday 6th October, Jenny Willott said:

"It seems that there is a serious and inexplicable breakdown in communication between First Great Western and Network Rail.

"Network Rail are saying that First Great Western can run extra diverted services if they wish, while First Great Western are saying they cannot decide whether to run extra services until they know the full details of Network Rail's engineering works.

"Over the last 10 years, Cardiff has rapidly become a sporting centre and one of the most popular cities in the UK. But basic transport problems that are the result of poor planning, bad management and a lack of communication, threaten to damage this excellent reputation.

"I am writing to First Great Western and Network Rail about this. They must start talking now so that extra services are in place for the World Cup game and to improve long-term planning and communication so that this doesn't happen in future."