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London's deputy mayor for transport has to avoid 'early starts' because of Southern train delays

London’s deputy mayor for transport avoids early starts because she has to rely on Southern trains to get to work, it has emerged.

The revelation emerged via emails from Val Shawcross’s office, in which it was suggested that a meeting would be better after 10am of problems she has with her journey into work.

The email, over a meeting between Ms Shawcross and Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) to discuss taxi-hailing app Uber, said: “Val actually is a morning person but has to use Southern trains to get in to the office so we try not to have too many early starts.”

<em>Early starts – apparently London’s deputy mayor for transport Val Shawcross avoids early starts because she relies on Southern trains to get into the office (Pictures: PA)</em>
Early starts – apparently London’s deputy mayor for transport Val Shawcross avoids early starts because she relies on Southern trains to get into the office (Pictures: PA)

Southern, which runs services from London to destinations in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, has been hit with industrial action, causing lengthy delays and issues for travellers.

Earlier this year the company was ordered to pay for a £13.4m package of improvements after Transport Secretary Chris Grayling decided industrial action does not fully explain the operator’s poor performance.

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A spokesman for Southern said it would not comment on the email, which was released under the Freedom of Information Act.

The mayor’s office said it had been sent on September 4, in the middle of strike action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and on the same day as a signal failure caused further disruption.

London’s deputy mayor for transport Val Shawcross avoids early starts because she relies on Southern trains to get into the office, emails have revealed.
London’s deputy mayor for transport Val Shawcross avoids early starts because she relies on Southern trains to get into the office, emails have revealed.

A spokesman for the mayor of London said: “The deputy mayor for transport works her socks off to make the capital’s transport network more affordable, reliable and accessible for all Londoners.

“Under Sadiq and Val, TfL passengers have enjoyed frozen fares and seen a nearly 60% reduction in the number of days lost to strikes.

“If the Government shared their drive and gave TfL control of more suburban lines, rail passengers too would get the service they deserve.”