Lib Dems call for the reinstatement of key commuter train to Birmingham

Liberal Democrat councillors in Worcestershire have started a campaign to reverse the cancellation of the Cross Country 7.37am train to Birmingham from Worcestershire Parkway. With dozens of residents voicing their concerns to the train company, to no avail, local councillors have launched an open letter for residents to sign. This will be sent to the Department for Transport, urging Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, to intervene.

The letter requests support from the Department for  Transport to reinstate the 7:37am train from Worcester Parkway to Birmingham. The Department for Transport can hold the company accountable for delivering timetables that do not meet the needs of passengers.

Cllr Dan Boatright-Greene County councillor for Pershore says: “Since the changes to the timetable in May, I have been receiving emails from residents who have been struggling to get to work. Several have missed key appointments and one has been told they need to consider their position because they cannot reliably get to work on time.

“We have seen a huge and welcome increase in the use of train travel in recent years, with the car park already at capacity for much of the day. Due to the expansion of Pershore and of many of the surrounding  villages, we have seen an influx in commuters, many of whom work across the county and the West Midlands. Birmingham remains a key place for people to work.

“The loss of the 7:37am train is having a detrimental impact on many commuters. I experienced this myself recently when I aimed to get the now earliest train, at 8:14am, only for it to be cancelled. The next train is at 8:26am, which arrives into Birmingham at 8:55am, allowing you only 5 minutes to arrive at work for a traditional 9am start. This is not acceptable and is causing havoc for many commuters. The trains are full to the brim, and it is clear the current situation is not sustainable.”