June: Councillors called on the government to make urgent improvements to the Thameslink train line following a “disastrous” overhaul of the timetable.

St Albans District Council also looked into the possibility of a judicial review.

They asked Jo Johnson, minister of state for transport, to reinstate axed peak-hour trains from Harpenden on the Thameslink line and was urged to make major changes to the system for compensating passengers for poor services.

In a further move, St Albans City and District councillors raised concerns about health and safety risks to passengers with franchise holder Govia Thameslink Railway.

This followed injury to two people during a stampede for a train at Harpenden rail station as well as complaints about overcrowded platforms and carriages.

Councillors asked Cllr Mary Maynard, responsible for planning, to look at the possibility of challenging the new timetable by way of a judicial review.

The actions were agreed by councillors on the all-party Planning, Resources, Housing and Commercial Scrutiny Committee at its meeting.

Chairman Cllr Roma Mills was tasked with writing to both Mr Johnson and Govia about the Committee’s concerns.

Cllr Mills said: “Govia promised a once-in-a-generation timetable change that would transform the Thameslink line.

“The unanimous view of the committee is that that this has been completely disastrous.”