Hounslow Council has welcomed the Government's decision to take over the South Western Railway (SWR) contract from May 2025.
Published: Monday, 9th December 2024
Cllr Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, welcomed the announcement.
“As a Council we are supportive of the announcement this week regarding the Government’s decision to take over the South Western Railway (SWR) contract from May next year. We look forward to working closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) to ensure a smooth transition and to further improve services for Hounslow residents.
“A key priority for us is the reinstatement of off-peak services on the Hounslow Loop to four trains per hour, as they were prior to the pandemic. The significant growth in leisure trips on the SWR network since Covid-19 highlights the need for greater off-peak frequency. Increasing these services will not only benefit residents and businesses but also help reduce unnecessary car journeys, contributing to our environmental and transport goals.
“We are also excited to continue our productive partnership with SWR, particularly in making our stations more accessible. The recent installation of new lifts at Syon Lane and Isleworth stations, partly funded by the Council, has made a real difference to passengers. Furthermore, with feasibility funding secured for making Kew Bridge Station fully accessible, we are keen to progress these plans quickly to further enhance the travel experience for our residents.
“Last month, the Council passed a motion calling for improvements to the Hounslow Loop, which serves as a vital transport link for thousands of Hounslow residents. We are committed to ensuring the services meet the needs of our community and will continue to work with SWR and the DfT to address issues of service reliability and frequency.
“We will continue to lobby for improved railway services through our partners in London Councils and the West London Alliance.”
