Widening Backlash After GTR "No Trains" Decision For Brighton Pride Saturday

Talks between Brighton & Hove City Council & Govia Thameslink Railway have been called off, according to the city's local authority, after the train provider's refusal to run a service to Brighton on Pride Saturday.

Council Leader Bella Sankey described "extreme disappointment" as talks between Brighton & Hove City Council and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) "broke down" (as the council put it), with GTR reportedly confirming its decision not to run any trains in and out of the city this Saturday (August 5).

The train operator had earlier stated that an overtime ban called by the ASLEF union would result in insufficient trains to carry the large numbers of people expected to use the railway on that day.

Therefore, in the interests of safety, GTR decided to close services altogether.

Regarding a reduced number of trains running, the rail company's statement said:

"Keeping passengers and colleagues safe is the absolute priority and following discussions with the council, police and emergency services, as well as our own risk assessments, GTR has very sadly concluded that it cannot safely run any services as it would be impossible to avoid severe overcrowding and present a considerable risk to passenger safety."

"On Saturday 5th August, people will not be able travel to and from Brighton by rail and the station will be closed.

"Trains on the Brighton Main Line will terminate at Three Bridges.

"No services will run on the coastways into Brighton because of the amended timetable we will have in place.

"Anyone planning to attend Pride on Saturday by rail will need to make alternative arrangements, although we appreciate this will be extremely difficult"

The city council said it convened an emergency meeting with GTR and emergency services partners on Wednesday 2 August, to discuss a compromise solution that could ensure that some trains would run in and out of the city for most of Saturday 5 August.

A further meeting was scheduled for Thursday 3 August but, the local authority said, was called off when GTR confirmed to the council, Pride and others late on 2 August that the company's original decision would be in effect.

Councillor Sankey said the decision, affecting what could be Pride's biggest day, would leave the city effectively cut-off, and would anger thousands of people.

Councillor Sankey said:

"This is an extremely disappointing decision from GTR that will negatively impact all those wanting to participate in the country’s foremost Pride celebrations.

"In spite of our best efforts to work with GTR to find a creative solution, they’ve instead decided to maintain their position of running no trains, effectively cutting off the city.

"This has knock-on consequences for traffic congestion and risks leaving people stranded.

"In my view, and based on the data provided by Pride organisers, a workable and safe solution could have been found by a company tasked with providing an essential public service to our city.

"GTR have failed in their most basic function as a train company and they have also mismanaged the process.

"The impact on the public of this failure to provide a service seems to come very far down the list of what is important to GTR.

"They must now reflect and ensure this unacceptable situation never happens again.

“Our priority now is now to work with our excellent emergency services and all those involved in facilitating Pride to support the event and seek to address the many issues and increased costs GTR’s flawed decision raises.

“Pride will go ahead this weekend and it’ll be as spectacular as ever. We hope those who can attend enjoy celebrating our LGBTQI+ community and have a wonderful weekend in our city.”

GTR has also recommended that its own staff should not wear branded t-shirts during the event, fearing abuse the company considered its workers may receive.

A spokesperson for the train operator said:

"Colleagues that registered to take part on the GTR float [now cancelled] were offered branded t-shirts as part of our involvement."

"Staff will still be able keep these, but it’s recommended they aren’t worn during the event given the visual branding.

"Safety of our colleagues is a huge priority and we wouldn’t want anyone to suffer any type of abuse because of the decision not to run trains."