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| Rail firm defends rugby schedules | Rail firm defends rugby schedules |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| First Great Western says criticism over Rugby World Cup train services should be directed at tournament organisers. | First Great Western says criticism over Rugby World Cup train services should be directed at tournament organisers. |
| There is anger that the last train to London after a quarter-final in October at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will leave 30 minutes after kick-off. | There is anger that the last train to London after a quarter-final in October at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will leave 30 minutes after kick-off. |
| Politicians have urged more talks, but the train operator says Rugby World Cup chiefs were told months ago track works prevented late trains that night. | |
| World Cup organisers said it was "very disappointing" there would be no train. | World Cup organisers said it was "very disappointing" there would be no train. |
| The Millennium Stadium is hosting four games of the 2007 rugby tournament, including one quarter-final on the evening of Saturday, 6 October. | The Millennium Stadium is hosting four games of the 2007 rugby tournament, including one quarter-final on the evening of Saturday, 6 October. |
| But the last train to London that night will pull out of the Welsh capital half an hour after the game starts at 2000 BST. | |
| Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott said the city's reputation as a sporting destination was threatened by "basic transport problems" while Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said it was "essential that transport links are in place to deal with visiting fans". | Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott said the city's reputation as a sporting destination was threatened by "basic transport problems" while Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said it was "essential that transport links are in place to deal with visiting fans". |
| First Great Western said the tracks are closed for scheduled works | First Great Western said the tracks are closed for scheduled works |
| Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said he was keen to see transport working smoothing as the tournament would be "an international showcase for Wales". | Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said he was keen to see transport working smoothing as the tournament would be "an international showcase for Wales". |
| But First Great Western said scheduled engineering works meant it was not possible to lay on extra trains for fans after the game. | But First Great Western said scheduled engineering works meant it was not possible to lay on extra trains for fans after the game. |
| The company said arranging supporters' trains was "a multi-party issue and has seen previous meetings with the Rugby World Cup body". | The company said arranging supporters' trains was "a multi-party issue and has seen previous meetings with the Rugby World Cup body". |
| John Pockett, the First Great Western Manager for Wales, said: "The criticism is wrongly directed - it should firmly be laid at the door of the organisers of the Rugby World Cup, of that there is no doubt. | John Pockett, the First Great Western Manager for Wales, said: "The criticism is wrongly directed - it should firmly be laid at the door of the organisers of the Rugby World Cup, of that there is no doubt. |
| Broadcaster | Broadcaster |
| "When this date was suggested, it was pointed out to them then that this would be a problem. The difficulty was pointed out. | "When this date was suggested, it was pointed out to them then that this would be a problem. The difficulty was pointed out. |
| "My understanding is that they have gone ahead despite the advice and the information they were given." | "My understanding is that they have gone ahead despite the advice and the information they were given." |
| He added: "The WRU and Millennium Stadium are normally excellent to deal with. | He added: "The WRU and Millennium Stadium are normally excellent to deal with. |
| "We're disappointed, to put it mildly, that the organisers of the Rugby World Cup, based in France, have not taken a leaf out of the WRU's book - we in the rail industry liaise over these things." | "We're disappointed, to put it mildly, that the organisers of the Rugby World Cup, based in France, have not taken a leaf out of the WRU's book - we in the rail industry liaise over these things." |
| A spokesman for the Rugby World Cup said the date and timing of the game tied in with the schedule of the tournament's broadcaster partner in France. | A spokesman for the Rugby World Cup said the date and timing of the game tied in with the schedule of the tournament's broadcaster partner in France. |
| He said: "It's been known for some time that that match has a late kick-off. | He said: "It's been known for some time that that match has a late kick-off. |
| "You would assume that people would make arrangements to stay in the area. | "You would assume that people would make arrangements to stay in the area. |
| "There might be some people who would want to go up and back in a day. For those people, it's very disappointing that there is no train service available." | "There might be some people who would want to go up and back in a day. For those people, it's very disappointing that there is no train service available." |