Lilian Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to reports Gatwick Express will not run from Christmas Day until 4 January, while Heathrow’s normal rail closure has been extended said:

“Prolonged closures will cause great inconvenience to passengers who are trying to see their families over Christmas, and some communities will lose their rail access completely. ‎The greatest risk is that the engineering works have not been properly planned and stretched resources cause yet further delays. There can be no repeat of the scenes of chaos at Kings Cross and Finsbury Park last year, and Ministers need to ensure that the rail industry’s plans are equal to the task.”