Our first victory!

The 2,750 of us from a small number of towns are enough to make people sit up and listen. The Department for Transport (DfT) planned for all the consultation events to be held during weekday daytimes, and none in any of the towns due to lose all Intercity services (see www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-east-midlands-rail-franchise). I contacted a number of MPs to ask them to make representations. At least two of them contacted the DfT, and that has resulted in the first victory for the campaign :-) Pressure from MPs we have been in touch with, including Moh. Yasin (Labour) and Alistair Burt (Con) has resulted in the DfT agreeing they will be holding events at various stations where information will be distributed and people can ask questions. One of these stations will be Bedford. They will be there for both peaks and during the day. No dates have yet been fixed. Thanks also to the Bedford Commuters' Association for their pressure on DfT, and for the information. Our pressure is paying off, but we need to keep it up. Who can help by distributing leaflets - on trains, and at stations, especially Wellingborough, Luton, Beeston, Oakham and Melton? There will be a protest in Kettering Wed 13 Sept from about 1-2pm, before the public consultation event in Kettering. Are you willing to take part? Can you contribute an odd tenner towards costs? Please email Ben.Foley@greenparty.org.uk. If you’re on facebook, please join the East Midlands Passengers group www.facebook.com/groups/EastMidlandsPassengers/