2,200 separate responses - well done. Still more to do, though!

We heard recently that there were a massive 2,200 separate submissions to the consultation about the East Midlands franchise: well done everyone! Another consultation that it would be useful if you could respond to: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-transport-accessibility-action-plan - some key elements for a response can be found at www.facebook.com/groups/EastMidlandsPassengers/490648151319041/ Deadline this Wednesday (22nd) 23.45 We have been finding increasing clues that if the consultation proposals go through, it will result in passengers who currently use East Midlands Trains from Luton AP, Luton, Bedford AND Wellingborough switching to Thameslink, and Thameslink managers are worried about the impact on levels of crowding on their trains. So, we are looking for people to spread the message by giving leaflets (that are ready go to print) to Thameslink passengers. Can you help: please fill in the form at https://goo.gl/forms/h7VDj8lAWvvRUNOu2, saying something suitable in the comments, or email me at ben.foley@greenparty.org.uk. We are also particularly anxious to identify supporters from Corby Parliamentary Constituency (including Irthlingborough, Raunds, Thrapston etc), from Kettering, Harborough, Leicester, Loughborough, Beeston, Nottingham (including Broxtowe/Beeston), Long Eaton/Erewash, Derby, North East Derbyshire, Sheffield and beyond. Again: please fill in the form at https://goo.gl/forms/h7VDj8lAWvvRUNOu2, or email me at ben.foley@greenparty.org.uk. A third type of supporter we could do with identifying are people with links to businesses/employers (whether employee, customer, business contact, etc). Our aim with businesses is to get them to lobby the Rail Minister (Paul Maynard, pictured) about the importance of through trains. Reasons might include - employees and customers getting to them each day - being able to get to/from Luton Airport for business trips (outward or inward) - making business trips (seeing clients/suppliers) - general impact on the local economy - impacts on them if roads between Beds/Bucks/Northants and Leicestershire (M1, A6 etc) or into Nottingham/Sheffield have more traffic congestion, due to the loss of through trains. Yet again: please fill in the form at https://goo.gl/forms/h7VDj8lAWvvRUNOu2, or email me at ben.foley@greenparty.org.uk. All told, it really helps us if people can fill in the form at https://goo.gl/forms/h7VDj8lAWvvRUNOu2. Only 72 people have filled in so far, out of more than 8,000 of us!