DARTFORD MP Gareth Johnson has berated rail company directors, saying their services haven’t improved in thirty years.

Mr Johnson reacted to train services provided by Southeastern during last week’s cold snap.

He joined other Kent representatives in a meeting on Wednesday(Dec8) with Southeastern managing director Charles Horton and service delivery director Vince Lucas.

Mr Johnson said: “The snow highlighted two failings by Southeastern: one, their inability to deal with snow and two, communication.

“Constituents were checking on Southeastern’s website, finding there was a service, and taking a treacherous journey down just to find there was no service.

“We know there’s going to be disruption whenever there’s snow but we expect improvements in thirty years. But it seems to have got worse.”

Kent’s railway franchise is up for renewal in 2012, and Southeastern could be replaced if services do not improve.

Charles Horton said: “We are sorry that many of our passengers had severely disrupted services last week due to the snow and icy conditions on the track.

“Although some of the improvements introduced following last year’s snow did work well, we know that there is much more to do to ensure that passengers get timely and accurate information at all times.”

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, is urging passengers to claim compensation from train companies for the disruption.

He said: “Some passengers have been badly let down by the rail industry’s handling of severe weather disruption.”

'Diabolical' service

Tim Burman, aged 32, from Waterstone Way, Greenhithe said the train services last week were “diabolical”.

Mr Burman, who commutes to Canary Wharf, London, for work, said: “Back last January they said they weren’t prepared as it was the worst winter we’ve had for 20 years, but they must have learnt from 11 months ago.

“The first sign of snow and it’s absolute chaos.

“They should have been prepared - they see the weather forecasts like all the rest of us.”

Mr Burman said that display boards at stations showed no information and that station staff were even unsure of when trains would arrive.

Mr Burman added that a one hour commute was taking him up to three hours due to the travel chaos.