CIVIC leaders and rail users have told London Underground ahead of its appearance in Chesham where it will answer concerns on Metropolitan line services: "Sort out our tube, or else."

Community leaders in Chesham and Amersham have told the Free Press in no uncertain terms this week of their concerns over reliability and what they will be asking LUL manager Andrew Kennard at a public meeting in Chesham town hall on February 7.

Metropolitan Line Users' Association president Gordon DIxon said: "The first question is will they listen to what anyone is saying anyway? I'm expecting to hear the usual diatribe from them.

"The main problems are delays. The whole infrastructure seems to be collapsing at the moment. The signalling needs rewiring, I believe. They keep having electrical fires at the side of the track and it's the cabling that's causing it.

"I would be curious to know how much they actually pay out on the penalty fares, because I would think that runs into thousands of pounds which is money that is not being spent on the railway."

Chesham mayor Tony Reed told the Free Press: "I don't actually have many problems, but I'm not a regular user. Last time I used it was a bloody nightmare, mind you.

"I would seek assurances that they are going to retain a sensible level of service on a properly-maintained track and updated equipment."

Chiltern District Council leader Don Phillips and Chesham town clerk Mike Kennedy both expressed concern that LUL wasn't joining forces with team behind Crossrail a major new network planned for commuters travelling across London to ensure that Chesham and Amersham are included.

Rail campaigner and Chesham councillor Pauline Wilkinson complained that LUL was wasting money on giving refunds for late trains. She said: "It must be costing them a bomb. People are living for months on these vouchers when their trains are late.

"The reliability just has not improved. It's not fair for people coming from London, especially when they are tired."

The Free Press has asked for answers on a number of questions concerning reliability of the Met line, including those raised in this article. We were told by LUL's PR department they believed the public meeting would be the best forum for resolving these issues.

LUL said our questions will be answered at the meeting in the town hall. The meeting begins at 7.30pm.