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Rail minister Paul Maynard 'committed' to resolving Southern Rail issues Rail minister Paul Maynard 'committed' to resolving Southern Rail issues
(about 2 hours later)
Rail Minister Paul Maynard has assured passengers he is determined to resolve issues on the troubled Southern network as a matter of urgency.Rail Minister Paul Maynard has assured passengers he is determined to resolve issues on the troubled Southern network as a matter of urgency.
The government is to hold talks later this week with Southern Rail, which links London with Surrey and Sussex.The government is to hold talks later this week with Southern Rail, which links London with Surrey and Sussex.
The rail company is embroiled in a long-running dispute with a transport union over the role of guards on new trains. The rail company is embroiled in a long-running union dispute over the role of guards on new trains.
Mr Maynard said the continued delays and cancellations were "unacceptable". Mr Maynard said the continued delays and cancellations affecting the service were "unacceptable".
More updates on BBC Live: SussexMore updates on BBC Live: Sussex
Industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and high levels of staff sickness have hit services, with the introduction of a temporary emergency timetable initially cutting up to 341 trains a day.Industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and high levels of staff sickness have hit services, with the introduction of a temporary emergency timetable initially cutting up to 341 trains a day.
Speaking at an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Mr Maynard said: "I expect the tempo of reintroduction to be maintained and for this to be a matter of weeks and not months to be resolved. Mr Maynard told the Commons: "Some routes are still suffering badly and my priority is making sure services are being restored in a timely, sensible and lasting manner."
"Some routes are still suffering badly and my priority is making sure services are being restored in a timely, sensible and lasting manner."
"The real solution here is for the RMT to bring this dispute to a close and start to put passengers first," he added."The real solution here is for the RMT to bring this dispute to a close and start to put passengers first," he added.
Mr Maynard also denied plans for "more generous" compensation to Southern Rail commuters affected by strikes were on the "backburner".Mr Maynard also denied plans for "more generous" compensation to Southern Rail commuters affected by strikes were on the "backburner".
"We hope to make a timely announcement," he said. He also agreed to consider calls for season ticket holders to receive a rebate of up to 20%.
Safety concerns 'National disgrace'
He agreed to consider calls for season ticket holders to receive a rebate of up to 20% for not receiving the standard of service they had paid for. Meanwhile, Southern announced it would reinstate the full timetable from Tonbridge and Reigate to Redhill and London Victoria/London Bridge on Monday.
The RMT is fighting moves to re-categorise conductors as "on-board supervisors", with drivers taking over responsibility for opening and closing carriage doors. Alex Foulds, Southern's passenger services director, apologised to customers "who have suffered ever since the RMT began their unnecessary action".
It maintains it has legitimate concerns over safety and job cuts. He said the temporary weekday timetable had been delivering a "more consistent, reliable" service.
A series of strikes since April has included a five-day walkout which was called off after three days. "We are steadily reintroducing trains and will continue to do so until the entire timetable is back in place," he added.
Southern, which imposed the changes on 21 August after several strikes went ahead, insists the plans are safe and will mean fewer cancelled trains. Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, called the changes "pitiful".
He added: "The fact passengers are still paying through the nose for a vastly reduced service is solely due to the gross managerial incompetence and profiteering of this basket-case rail operator.
"Yet again Southern are blaming their staff for their own systemic failures..."
RMT spokesman Garry Hassell has said the dispute "could last until Christmas".RMT spokesman Garry Hassell has said the dispute "could last until Christmas".