Vince Cable MP met the managing director of the South West Trains Alliance, Tim Shoveller, in Twickenham on Friday 1st March, to discuss local rail expansion plans:

• Platform 20 on Waterloo International will be open to additional and larger (10 car) trains before May 2014, on the Hounslow loop and semi-fast services on the Windsor line. With full 10 car services will be available on the Reading line by 2017.
• The station improvements at Whitton are close to final agreement with a better entrance, better cover against the elements on the platforms, and improved facilities for cyclists.
• Serious discussions are starting with Cross Rail about an extension to Twickenham via Kingston, improving journey times to many parts of London including Victoria.

One unresolved question however is what happens to Twickenham Station where improvements are stalled because of court action over the station development,

Vince Cable said: “I am delighted that at long last the promised reopening of Waterloo International is going ahead, with new and longer trains coming next year. Apparently there was a long wrangle between South West Trains and Network Rail, which is now resolved.”

Hea added: “The go ahead for Whitton station is also welcome and long overdue. The present station is an embarrassment.”