SOUTH Western Railway is coming under increasing scrutiny over the performance of its rail services since taking over the franchise last August.

In late April, it was revealed by the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling that South Western Railway (SWR) will face an independent review commissioned by the government into its performance.

In a letter to fellow MPs, Mr Grayling said: “I have been very disappointed with the performance of SWR in recent months, and I know many of you have been frustrated by the issues passengers have experienced.

“I am determined that we see a long-term, sustained performance across this route.”

In December 2017, SWR was one of three train operators singled out for its poor or declining performance, with recognition that 72 per cent of its delays were attributable to Network Rail.

Last month it was also revealed in SWR’s customer report summary, covering the seven month period since they took over the franchise from South West Trains in August 2017, that almost half (45.3 per cent) of all their services failed to turn up on time.

This report also showed that just 83.2 per cent of trains met Network Rail’s ‘public performance measure’, which is arriving at the terminating station within five minutes for commuter services and within and 10 minutes for long distance services.

A survey by the BBC also showed that an average of 11 in every 1,000 of SWR services missed stations.

A petition launched in March calling on the government to cancel SWR’s contract and investigate its management, has received more than 7,000 signatures. If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures it must be responded to by the government. The petition claims the franchise has “significantly worsened” since changing hands from South West Trains.

Mr Grayling said the investigation was commissioned to “improve performance and the passenger experience”. He also said that South Western Railway had committed to spending £5 million on “performance improving initiatives”.

The railway’s struggling performance led Mike Roberts, a member of the Alton Line Users Association and Rushmoor borough councillor, to write a letter to Shadow Transport Secretary, Andy McDonald complaining of SWR’s “poor” and “grim” record and calling on the Shadow Cabinet minister to “raise this to the highest level”.

Responding to the criticism, a SWR spokesman admitted its performance “has not been at the level we want, or expect, and we are determined to put that right” while a Network Rail spokesman added: “Train performance on this route hasn’t been good enough.”

The review into South Western Railway will be led by Sir Michael Holden, who has over 40 years of experience in the railway industry. The process is expected to be concluded by summer 2018.