Longbridge Station labelled 'a disgrace'

Buy photos » Residents have contacted Coun Andy Cartwright about the state of Longbridge Station. s

A COUNCILLOR has called on London Midland to clean up Longbridge Railway Station, which he claims is an eyesore due to 'sheer neglect'.

Coun Andy Cartwright, Birmingham City Councillor for Longbridge, has acted after receiving copious complaints from local residents about the state of the station.

He said: "I know the whole area is currently going through a redevelopment, but this is ridiculous - it is so run down.

"This is the first station people see when they enter Birmingham from Worcestershire and it is a disgrace."

Among the complaints from residents were the levels of litter around the station, the front doors, which have been broken and boarded up, a leaky roof that had not been repaired and the toilets not being in use.

Coun Cartwright said there were also complaints about the car parking situation there, with many residents struggling to find spaces in the area, and rumours that London Midland was planning to leave the station unmanned.

And, he added, since the opening of the new Bournville College, the station was being used more than ever, so it was important that the issues were addressed.

A London Midland spokesperson said: "The damage at Longbridge train station is a result of mindless vandalism committed on New Years Eve.

"We have arranged for contractors to repair the damage.

"We are hoping that the work will be completed within the next few weeks."

On the staffing situation, he said: "We have no intentions of making Longbridge an un-manned station."