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Fears over rugby rail timetables Fears over rugby rail timetables
(about 2 hours later)
A former rugby star has raised questions over rail travel for fans coming to Cardiff to watch a Rugby World Cup quarter final on 6 October.A former rugby star has raised questions over rail travel for fans coming to Cardiff to watch a Rugby World Cup quarter final on 6 October.
The game is scheduled to begin in the Millennium Stadium at 2000 BST but currently the last train from Cardiff to London will leave at 2030 BST.The game is scheduled to begin in the Millennium Stadium at 2000 BST but currently the last train from Cardiff to London will leave at 2030 BST.
Former England prop Victor Ubogu said the lack of services could be "chaotic" for fans basing themselves in London.Former England prop Victor Ubogu said the lack of services could be "chaotic" for fans basing themselves in London.
A First Great Western spokesman said extra trains were "being looked into".A First Great Western spokesman said extra trains were "being looked into".
The Rugby World Cup 2007, which begins on 7 September, is based mainly in France but four games are being played in Cardiff and two in Edinburgh.The Rugby World Cup 2007, which begins on 7 September, is based mainly in France but four games are being played in Cardiff and two in Edinburgh.
Mr Ubogu, who runs a sports travel and hospitality company, said supporters from abroad and basing themselves in London for the duration of the Rugby World Cup would be relying on the train to get them to and from the UK capital.Mr Ubogu, who runs a sports travel and hospitality company, said supporters from abroad and basing themselves in London for the duration of the Rugby World Cup would be relying on the train to get them to and from the UK capital.
Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements Victor UboguMany will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements Victor Ubogu
He said many would be faced with the prospect of finding road transport or a bed in Cardiff for the night.He said many would be faced with the prospect of finding road transport or a bed in Cardiff for the night.
It was not a good advert for the UK's ability to host large sporting occasions, he said.It was not a good advert for the UK's ability to host large sporting occasions, he said.
"Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements that getting back to London is not possible," he said. "Many will not realise until it is too late to make other arrangements that getting back to London is not possible," he added.
"I am sure the World Cup organisers will not be impressed.""I am sure the World Cup organisers will not be impressed."
Mr Ubogu, who played in two World Cups, noticed the train timetables while organising an event for clients.Mr Ubogu, who played in two World Cups, noticed the train timetables while organising an event for clients.
He has chartered a private train from London in the afternoon although his clients will have to return via luxury coach because, he claimed, Network Rail will not open the tracks to operate beyond their normal timetable. He has chartered a private train from London in the afternoon although his clients will have to return via coach because, he claimed, Network Rail will not open the tracks to operate beyond their normal timetable.
A spokesperson for Network Rail denied the tracks would be closed but said that engineering works were planned to take place in Bristol and London on the night of Saturday 6 October and so any trains that did run would be diverted from the main line.A spokesperson for Network Rail denied the tracks would be closed but said that engineering works were planned to take place in Bristol and London on the night of Saturday 6 October and so any trains that did run would be diverted from the main line.
"If First Great Western want to run extra trains, I am sure we will speak to them and try to work something out," added a spokesperson."If First Great Western want to run extra trains, I am sure we will speak to them and try to work something out," added a spokesperson.
Mr Ubugo also claimed that he had appealed to Alison Forster, managing director of First Great Western, to lay on extra trains, but she said it would not be possible. Mr Ubugo also claimed that he had appealed to First Great Western to lay on extra trains but they said it would not be possible.
A spokesman for First Great Western said they could not make any comment on whether extra train services would be laid on until they knew the extent of the engineering work on the line.A spokesman for First Great Western said they could not make any comment on whether extra train services would be laid on until they knew the extent of the engineering work on the line.
Four Rugby World Cup games are being played at the stadiumFour Rugby World Cup games are being played at the stadium
"In terms of any extra trains for 6 October, it is not yet finalised," he said. "It is being looked into."In terms of any extra trains for 6 October, it is not yet finalised," he said. "It is being looked into.
"It could be difficult to run extra services because of the engineering works.""It could be difficult to run extra services because of the engineering works."
A spokesman for Cardiff council said park-and-ride facilities would be in place on the day of the game for fans travelling to the city by car, although the specifics had not been finalised yet. A spokesman for Cardiff County Council said park-and-ride facilities would be in place on the day of the game for fans travelling to the city by car, although the specifics had not been finalised yet.
Simon Pickering from Passenger Focus, the UK rail consumer watchdog, said there could also be problems for fans hoping to attend the game between Wales and Japan at the Millennium Stadium on 20 September, which also kicks off at 2000 BST.Simon Pickering from Passenger Focus, the UK rail consumer watchdog, said there could also be problems for fans hoping to attend the game between Wales and Japan at the Millennium Stadium on 20 September, which also kicks off at 2000 BST.
He said that rail service providers had met with officials in December and again in June because of the issues raised with rail travel difficulties for fans in the past.He said that rail service providers had met with officials in December and again in June because of the issues raised with rail travel difficulties for fans in the past.
In February, Network Rail apologised to fans of Chelsea and Arsenal after a signalling fault caused "significant delays" before and after the Carling Cup final.In February, Network Rail apologised to fans of Chelsea and Arsenal after a signalling fault caused "significant delays" before and after the Carling Cup final.