Letters to the editor: Too little, too late from Grayling

Chris Grayling
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
11 August 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Southern rail has been drastically reducing its services with no compensation or suitable apology to commuters. And for the most part there has not been a whimper from anyone in the Government.

Commuters appear not to be the company’s concern, despite the removal of conductors on trains arguably putting passenger safety at risk. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has only recently got involved in the dispute, accusing the RMT of “holding passengers to ransom”.

It is somewhat ironic that when staff and commuters were complaining and campaigning against Southern, no minister expressed an opinion on the matter.

Clearly the divide between the Government and train operators on the one hand, and trade unions and workers on the other, still exists. The Government’s priority seems to be to protect an incompetent franchise company rather than the passengers and workers it has failed.
Dave Putson

The longest rail strike in 50 years is coming to an end but there will still be misery and disappointment for passengers on Southern trains. Anxiety will still build as we head for the station. If a train arrives, it is a kind of elation knowing that at least we will get where we want to go.

People have missed meetings and some have lost their jobs. Those that haven’t have crammed onto trains where there is not enough seating.

I travel late sometimes, and while it’s scary sometimes at least a conductor is there. All the conductors want is to keep their jobs but the train company clearly has other ideas.
M F Lewis

I have no connection with either Southern or the RMT union but it is quite clear to me that the company is seeking to get rid of train conductors altogether.

Its argument that passing the responsibility for closing the doors will enable their conductors to “enhance the customer experience” is meaningless, especially on crowded trains. I do not feel safe on driver-only trains, especially at night. Similarly, replacing ticket office staff with so-called “station hosts” will simply move the queues onto the concourse.

It is clear that Govia Thameslink Railway has far too large a franchise to handle and has shown itself to be incapable of running it.
Anthony Willis

The suspension of the rail strike will be a small reprieve for Southern passengers who suffer daily on a poorly managed line. But it should not be forgotten how Southern has acted during this testing period. The lack of apologies or compensation for its customers is frankly appalling and the Government must seriously consider stripping Govia Thamselink of its franchise after this fiasco.

In the meantime, commuters will continue to suffer.
J Curton

Let Rio’s poor fill the empty seats

One of the most enduring memories of the Rio Olympics will undoubtedly be the poor organisation, which has left thousands of empty seats in the stadiums and venues — even for the most high-profile events.

Given how much the country has spent on staging the Games — much to the disgust of millions of poor Brazilians who live in the huge favelas in the country’s major cities and especially Rio itself — why doesn’t the Brazilian government invite residents of those appalling slums, especially the children, to fill the empty seats?

It would not only make them feel part of the huge party but just might inspire some of them to great things.
Robert Readman

Sarah Sands says there is a stark contrast in what the German and Egyptian volleyball teams at Rio wear but it is not as stark as first meets the eye [Comment, August 9]. Many Muslim women competing in the Games choose to wear the hijab — the American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad being one example. The freedom to wear what they want is part of what makes these Olympics great.
Kelly Turner

Workers are being betrayed by bosses

The need to pay huge salaries to top bosses was shown to be a fallacy after the 2008 financial crash. But that is only part of the problem.

Private-sector pension schemes are in trouble and have been for some years. Company bosses are only too aware of that, and in securing their massive remuneration packages they are amassing fortunes that will insulate them from any pension fund collapse. Meanwhile, their workers get no such protection, as we have seen at British Home Stores, and the Government has done nothing to prevent such things happening. If firms stopped paying such big money at the top, it might just encourage the bosses to fight their workers’ corner.
Bill Parish

Small businesses always lose out

Simon Jenkins’s article about Stratford [Comment, August 2] has sparked much debate and such discussions are valuable to the community. However, when small businesses are forced out of a redevelopment area the livelihoods of their proprietors are often jeopardised and employees are left without jobs because the new rents are impossible to meet for most old businesses.

The law should be changed to protect existing businesses in redevelopment or renovation schemes by keeping them in the locality and by guaranteeing new premises at the same costs.
Stephen Humphrey

Council must listen to public concerns

It is unacceptable if council officers in Lambeth were followed and made to feel unsafe after the decision on the Brixton Railway Arches [August 8]. However, Lambeth council needs to recognise how it contributed to the unedifying scenes inside the council chamber.

The reality is that in recent times it has sought to exclude the voice of the public while giving a greater voice to the development industry regarding decisions about our communities.

If Lambeth refuses to hear people’s legitimate concerns, it should be of little surprise if there are protests.
George Turner, vice-chair, Vauxhall Liberal Democrats

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