Here is the full letter:
Dear Colleague, 20 July 2016
Following my appointment as Secretary of State for Transport, I wanted to assure you I appreciate the very real concerns of you and your constituents, who use the Southern rail network, and the effect of prolonged disruption to their lives on a daily basis.
I am also extremely conscious about the volume of correspondence and conversations taking place about Southern performance, and the effect this will be having on your workload.
Paul Maynard, my new Rail Minister, and I have already met with Go-Ahead Group and Govia Thameslink Railway, and separately with Network Rail, to talk through the underlying problems on this rail network, the industrial relations dispute, and what needs to be done to improve the current situation.
Along with Paul, I want the operator to find a solution with the Trades Unions so the full timetable can be restored and delivered reliably, and passengers on Southern can plan their journeys with much needed certainty.
We will keep you informed of progress, and this will remain a key priority until the issue is resolved.
Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT