Telford MP Lucy Allan to confront Arriva Trains bosses over rail chaos
Telford MP Lucy Allan will meet rail bosses after concerns were raised about the lack of commuter trains.
Ms Allan pushed for a meeting with Arriva Trains last month after commuters complained when an already full two-carriage train arrived at Telford where a packed platform was waiting to get on.
She will meet Tom Joyner, the managing director of Arriva Trains, later this month to discuss ongoing concerns from Telford residents about the capacity on trains to Birmingham.
Arriva Trains Wales said its 175-train fleet needed to be checked over which had an impact on services.
It added that the company had not permanently reduced the number of carriages operating on the service from the border stations to Birmingham New Street.
But has since confirmed that the service is currently scheduled to run with two carriages due to a shortage in the fleet.
It says trains it operates are out of action and are being upgraded to meet accessibility standards.
Currently the early morning service between Telford and Birmingham is operating with two carriages instead of four.
'Not acceptable'
Ms Allan said: "It is not acceptable that commuters in Telford who work in Birmingham are being left behind on the platform in Telford due to a lack of capacity on the trains.
"This has been going on all summer and there has been no explanation or consultation for a change in service that is vital for our local economy.
"I look forward to meeting with the managing director of Arriva Trains later this month to highlight the problems that Telford commuters are facing on a daily basis and to find a sensible solution to address this problem."
Ms Allan has been campaigning for better public transport and earlier this year used a Westminster Hall debate to call on Arriva Trains and the government to improve rail capacity on the line.
Arriva Trains Wales includes services through Shropshire, Mid Wales and the borders, North Wales, Birmingham and Crewe and its rail franchise is due to end next month after bosses pulled out of the contest to continue running the franchise.
Newcomer West Midlands Railway took over services, including some in Shropshire, from London Midland last November promising to invest £1 billion in the network, including new carriages.
