On Tuesday 29th March Darren Henry MP held a virtual public meeting to discuss the suspension of the Nottingham to Matlock rail service. There were around 40 members of the public in attendance as well as Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railways (EMR) and Andrew Commons, the company’s Head of External Affairs.
This has been an issue that has affected commuters along the route, including users of both Beeston and Attenborough railway stations. It has also severely impacted the ability for rail users in Attenborough to get into Derby and vice versa. Understandably, this has generated a significant level of local concern with many people keen to see the service reinstated as quickly as possible.
During the meeting EMR answered questions raised by members of the public and outlined their reasons for suspending the service. Whereas the service was initially reduced due to a now resolved industrial dispute, last summer it was suspended in its entirety due to the lack of available rolling stock and a reduced staffing capacity due to the pandemic. Once these issues have been resolved EMR has stated that they are confident that they will be in a position to reinstate the service.
Members of the public who attended the meeting were vocal in their view that they wanted clearer communication over the issues behind the suspension of the service and were united in the desire to see the service reinstated as soon as it is possible.
Darren Henry MP remarked “I am pleased that EMR agreed to attend the virtual public meeting I organised and answer the important questions and concerns that my constituents wanted to raise. Following the meeting I will be writing a further letter to the Department for Transport (DfT) seeking clarification over some of the regulations and decisions that resulted in EMR having to suspend the service.
Previous assurances from both EMR and the DfT have alluded to the service being reinstated later this year and I will continue to lobby all the relevant agencies on behalf of my constituents to get it reinstated as soon as possible.”
