Network Rail flier blames 'technical & operational issues'

The two rail companies involved in the seemingly endless modernisation of Putney Station have come under fire over their repeated failures to meet promised deadlines and get the job finished.

The council’s transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook has today (Friday 3rd October) launched a stinging rebuke to Network Rail and South West Trains over their “total failure to get a grip on this situation and complete these long awaited improvements”.

Cllr Cook said:
“This is getting to be beyond a joke. How much longer will long suffering rail passengers in Putney have to put up with these endless delays and hollow excuses?

“The rail companies assured us at the beginning of September that the lifts would be back in action within a few days. They are still not working.


Works to take place in September - image by James Dixon

Cllr Cook continued: “They promised that the works to upgrade the ticket barriers and install digital information screens would easily be finished by now, but they are not – and they are not even close to finishing.

“This project is turning into a total shambles and unfortunately it is the travelling public who are paying the price. It really is time for the bosses of Network Rail and South West Trains to get on with it and finish off what they should have completed weeks ago.

“We will now be seeking an urgent meeting with senior managers of both companies so that they are under absolutely no illusions about the depth of anger and frustration that is building up in Putney about their lack of progress with this project.”

Network Rail have failed to respond to our request for an update to the works at the time of publication. However on searching their JourneyCheck link the following flier was discovered, in which the station master apologises for the delays being caused by "technical & operational issues":

If you would like to be kept up to date with the modernisation of Putney Station and the second entrance proposal, or if you have any ideas about what shops or other facilities you would like to see at the station, you can get in touch with Justine Greening at www.justine greening.co.uk or at greeningj@parliament.uk or at the House of Commons. London SW1A 0AA

October 9, 2014