KEETCH RECEIVES ASSURANCE FROM RAILWAYS MINISTER

5.28.50pm GMT Mon 6th Feb 2006

Hereford Lib Dem MP, Paul Keetch has received assurances from the Railways Minister, Derek Twigg MP, on train services on the Cotswold Line.

Following Mr Keetch's letter to the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling MP, and an ongoing campaign by the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, the Minister has stated he is keen to tackle the problems associated with late running trains between Birmingham and Hereford.

Commenting, the Minister said:

"The Department of Transport is discussing timetable proposals with Central Trains which are designed to improve performance from the June 2006 timetable change. This should reduce the need to cancel trains at Ledbury and deliver a better, more reliable service to passengers."

"I am pleased the Minister has taken this issue seriously. I, along with many of my constituents have been at the receiving end of delayed trains on this line for many years," said Mr Keetch.

"I Iook forward to the publication of new timetables and hope they will go some way to delivering more punctual and reliable train services in the county and that a direct service will be delivered without inconvenience to passengers."