Petition Launched to Maintain West Ealing Train Services

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Local Lib Dems say it is ‘big mistake’ to cut number of trains to Heathrow

Local Liberal Democrats have launched a petition urging Transport for London to maintain the number of trains serving Heathrow from West Ealing.

The newly published planned timetable shows that, once fully implemented, West Ealing will have fewer direct trains to Heathrow than it does presently. The proposals from Crossrail and TfL will reduce the Westbound service to just one train per hour down from two an hour at present.

While welcoming the arrival of Crossrail, the Lib Dems are saying that the level of service to Heathrow should be maintained because West Ealing is home to a significant number of people who work at the airport, as well as travellers who use Heathrow for business and leisure. Despite opposing the expansion of Heathrow they say it is not acceptable that so many ‘vital connections’ to existing terminals are lost.

Francesco Fruzza, the Ealing Lib Dems spokesperson for Cleveland ward said, "I think they're making a big mistake; so much of West Ealing's local economy relies on the airport workers and business people who live in the area. It will drive people to move away from the areas around the station. The proposed service pattern needs a re-think if it's to make the most of Crossrail. There's still time for them to make the necessary changes; they haven't even started building the main bit of the new station yet."

This petition which at the time of writing already had 120 signatures will be delivered to TfL, who will be managing the Elizabeth line, and Crossrail.

February 2, 2017