Mid Essex rail users have reacted angrily to the news that it will take another five years to restore train punctuality to the pre-Hatfield crash levels of three years ago.

David Bigg, chairman of the Witham and Braintree Rail Users' Association, said plans announced by Network Rail to cut costs by axing 2,000 jobs were "as daft as you can get" if it means train services will not recover to levels of 88 per cent punctuality until 2007-08.

He said: "It is not good enough at a time when fares are likely to rise. If the staff cuts are administration jobs, then fine, but front line staff? I hope not. We need more of them working on the tracks and the signals. Someone's getting their priorities badly wrong."

Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette