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| Hain steps into rugby trains row | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Assurances are being sought over rail transport after it emerged trains will not be running after a Rugby World Cup quarter-final game in Cardiff. | |
| Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said he would be writing to train service provider First Great Western. | Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said he would be writing to train service provider First Great Western. |
| The game is scheduled to begin in the Millennium Stadium at 2000 BST, but currently the last train from Cardiff to London will leave at 2030 BST. | |
| A First Great Western spokesman said extra trains were "being looked into". | A First Great Western spokesman said extra trains were "being looked into". |
| The Rugby World Cup 2007, which begins on 7 September, is based mainly in France but four games are being played in Cardiff, including the quarter-final on Saturday, 6 October. | |
| Mr Hain said: "The World Cup is a significant event which will give Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium another opportunity to market itself on a global stage as a world-class sporting venue," he said. | Mr Hain said: "The World Cup is a significant event which will give Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium another opportunity to market itself on a global stage as a world-class sporting venue," he said. |
| Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements Victor Ubogu | Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements Victor Ubogu |
| "The quarter-final is a match that will be watched by millions of people worldwide and it is essential that transport links are in place to deal with visiting fans." | |
| Questions over rail travel were first raised by former rugby star Victor Ubogu, who said the lack of services could be "chaotic". | Questions over rail travel were first raised by former rugby star Victor Ubogu, who said the lack of services could be "chaotic". |
| Mr Ubogu, who runs a sports travel and hospitality company, said supporters would be relying on the train to get them to and from London. | Mr Ubogu, who runs a sports travel and hospitality company, said supporters would be relying on the train to get them to and from London. |
| He said many would be faced with the prospect of finding road transport or a bed in Cardiff for the night. | He said many would be faced with the prospect of finding road transport or a bed in Cardiff for the night. |
| It was not a good advert for the UK's ability to host large sporting occasions, he said. | It was not a good advert for the UK's ability to host large sporting occasions, he said. |
| "Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements that getting back to London is not possible," he added. | "Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements that getting back to London is not possible," he added. |
| "I am sure the World Cup organisers will not be impressed." | "I am sure the World Cup organisers will not be impressed." |
| Mr Ubogu, who played in two World Cups, said he had chartered a private train from London in the afternoon, although his clients will have to return via coach. | |
| Engineering works | Engineering works |
| A spokesperson for Network Rail said tracks would not be closed but said engineering works were planned in Bristol and London on that night and so any trains that did run would be diverted. | A spokesperson for Network Rail said tracks would not be closed but said engineering works were planned in Bristol and London on that night and so any trains that did run would be diverted. |
| "If First Great Western want to run extra trains, I am sure we will speak to them and try to work something out," added a spokesperson. | "If First Great Western want to run extra trains, I am sure we will speak to them and try to work something out," added a spokesperson. |
| A spokesman for First Great Western said they could not make any comment on whether extra train services would be laid on until they knew the extent of the engineering works but said it would be "difficult to run extra services". | A spokesman for First Great Western said they could not make any comment on whether extra train services would be laid on until they knew the extent of the engineering works but said it would be "difficult to run extra services". |
| Four Rugby World Cup games are being played at the stadium | Four Rugby World Cup games are being played at the stadium |
| A spokesman for Cardiff County Council said park-and-ride facilities would be in place on the day of the game for fans travelling to the city by car. | A spokesman for Cardiff County Council said park-and-ride facilities would be in place on the day of the game for fans travelling to the city by car. |
| Simon Pickering from Passenger Focus, the UK rail consumer watchdog, said there could also be problems for the game between Wales and Japan at the Millennium Stadium on 20 September, which also kicks off at 2000 BST. | Simon Pickering from Passenger Focus, the UK rail consumer watchdog, said there could also be problems for the game between Wales and Japan at the Millennium Stadium on 20 September, which also kicks off at 2000 BST. |
| In February, Network Rail apologised to fans of Chelsea and Arsenal after a signalling fault caused "significant delays" before and after the Carling Cup final. | In February, Network Rail apologised to fans of Chelsea and Arsenal after a signalling fault caused "significant delays" before and after the Carling Cup final. |