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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rail firm defends rugby schedules | Rail firm defends rugby schedules |
| (about 6 hours 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 that 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. | 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." |
| Conservative AM Andrew Davies said the engineering work should be carried out on a different weekend. | |
| "I hope that the WRU, First Great Western and organisers of the World Cup will hold urgent talks to ensure that Wales' ability to hold world-class sporting events is not tarnished," said the Tory transport spokesman. | |
| "If this transport fiasco goes ahead, it could put at risk Wales' chances of hosting some events in the 2012 Olympics and even the possibility of hosting the Commonwealth Games in the future." | |
| 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." |