Sarah Olney MP meets with TfL and Network Rail to resolve "constant" District line issues at Richmond Station.

The Richmond Park MP met up with TfL and Network Rail on 31 July to find out the cause to the recent faults on the District line and what could be done to improve its reliability.

Network Rail have told Olney that the faults are not due to one cause, but as a result of "the age and complexity" of the District line in Richmond Station, particularly in warm seasons.

The main aim from Network Rail and TfL is to speed up the process through which faults are responded to.

Sarah Olney with Network Rail (credit: @sarahjolney1/X).

Both train networks have told the Lib Dem politician that they will coordinate teams to tackle issues quickly so that there is a small delay between a fault being detected and actions being taken. 

A spokesperson for Sarah Olney told Richmond Nub News: "Sarah made the point that this is a positive step, but ultimately, it is reactive rather than preventative.

"While there was some push back as some faults can be dealt with before they cause delays, the point still stands.  

"Generally they (TfL and Network Rail) accepted more needed to be done and work was taking place."

Both train networks have told the Lib Dem politician that they will coordinate teams to tackle issues quickly (credit: @saralolney1/X).

Network Rail are investigating if there is a root cause and will keep Olney and her office up to date with the latest.

Previously Laurence Bowman, route director for Network Rail Anglia, said: "We're sorry that services have been disrupted on the Richmond branch line in the recent weeks affecting Overground and District line passengers.

"This has been caused by a spike in track and signal failures in this complex and busy area of the network as well as train fleet issues.

"We are working with TfL and train operators to improve the service our passengers deserve by fixing faults more quickly and removing track defects, with a long-term plan to improve how we control services and replace track and signalling."

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