As your Member of Parliament, I hear every week how vital reliable transport is for people across Exmouth and Exeter East.
Whether it is getting to work, attending college, or enjoying a day out, good transport links are essential to daily life.
We have all felt the negative impact when regular services are disrupted and the knock-on effects that follow.
I share the frustrations of constituents who have been in touch recently about the emergency timetabling currently affecting West of England services from Pinhoe, Whimple, and Cranbrook.
I want to reassure you that I have been in touch with South Western Railway, who have confirmed that the temporary timetable is in place while engineers work to stabilise embankments.
At present, trains are limited to 40mph, meaning services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids have been reduced to one every two hours, with longer journey times. Once soil conditions improve, engineers expect to restore the embankments and return services to normal.
I know how disruptive this is for commuters, and please be assured I am pressing for clear updates for passengers, as well as the investment needed to prevent this kind of disruption in future.
I have also made transport a key priority more broadly, raising in Parliament the risks of major projects that could affect our region.
In particular, I have highlighted the potential disruption from the Old Oak Common interchange project and the serious economic impacts it could have across the South West and the wider rail network.
I have stressed the urgent need to put in place a full mitigation plan to protect local communities, jobs, and services from avoidable disruption.
This is particularly important given the annual storms that regularly cut off parts of our county.
Without careful planning, HS2 and Old Oak Common could compound these long-standing challenges, leaving our communities even more vulnerable to isolation and economic impact. My priority is to ensure that the South West receives the attention and investment it needs.
Reliable transport is not only about getting from place to place. It gives people access to work, education, and opportunities, and it is vital to the strength of our local economy.
I will continue to push for better infrastructure, clear planning, and reliable services to give people across our communities the certainty they need in their daily lives.
