Local Liberal Democrats have responded to an increasing level of complaints about Thameslink by launching their own petition.

Local councillor Chris White, who is also Leader of St Albans Liberal Democrats, said: ‘This issue – after the state of the roads – is one of the commonest grumbles from local residents across the district.

‘Around Christmas time it got a lot worse, as train after train was cancelled due to driver shortages – a situation Govia knew about when it took over the contract.

‘We hope that by giving local people the ability to protest we may be able to force the Government into action so that this company starts to respond to passenger needs.’

Anthony Rowlands, who chairs the District Council’s Local Services Scrutiny Committee, added: ‘We have received endless assurances that train performance would be improved. Anyone who has used Thameslink regularly since the Autumn will know that a punctual service without the risk of cancellations remains a pipe-dream. Given the cost of using the train, we deserve better from Govia.’

The petition can be found here: http://www.stalbanslibdems.org.uk/thameslink_petition