First Great Western must deliver

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 26th Feb 2008

As local train company First Great Western's poor service leads to it being found in breach of its franchise agreement by the Government and served a remedial notice, local Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris, said:

"First Great Western services have been a disgrace in recent months and the Government is right to take action. The company can in fact think itself fortunate that it has not had its franchise removed entirely, particularly as it has now admitted to misreporting figures.

"The remedial plan which has been agreed with the Government represents a final warning for the company and any breach of this will qualify as a default and the contract will indeed be terminated."

Dr Harris, a regular user of the train from Oxford himself, said:

"The commuter service between Oxford and London has been too poor for too long. The company must now deliver on these promised improvements. They have a last chance to get it right."