Bromsgrove to get more trains on a Sunday

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LONG-SUFFERING rail commuters travelling from Bromsgrove to Birmingham on a Sunday will receive a welcome boost from December 9 when a new improved timetable comes into force.

Currently, those wanting to travel from the town have to wait until 3.10pm before they can get a train to the Second City or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which is served by the University Station.

And there are only five services running to Birmingham every Sunday and five returning.

But, after lobbying from Tony Woodward from Bromsgrove Railway User Group (BRUG), there will now be nine trains going from the town to Birmingham and nine returning.

The first departing train will leave at 9.13am, getting to Brum for 10.17am.

After that, the new timetable will see further services at 11.13am, 1.13pm, 3.13pm, 5.13pm, 6.15pm, 7.13pm, 8.13pm and 9.13pm.

The first train into Bromsgrove from Birmingham New Street leaves at 9.58am and arrives at 10.20am and the last one back to the town leaves the Second City at 10.05pm, arriving at 10.25pm.

The move has been welcomed by both the rail user group and commuters.

Coun Rory Shannon, who is a member of BRUG and uses the Bromsgrove to Birmingham service regularly, said: “It’s absolutely excellent news and it shows how a rail action group can make a difference.

“This campaign has been going on for two years now and London Midland have finally taken notice of it.

“There is a good business case for running a train on a Sunday, which people will use to get to Birmingham.”

Coun Shannon added that sometimes he had to get to work in the Second City on a Sunday, which had caused problems in the past.

“On occasions I have had to pay £25 for a taxi, just to get to work.”

Commuters on our Facebook page also welcomed the move by operator London Midland.

Carrie Whittall posted: “Yaaaaaaaaaayness!!!!!! Does this mean we don’t all have to stay in Bromsgrove on a Sunday and we can actually travel!!! #diesofshock.”

And Emma Pearson wrote: “Finally we start to enter the 20th century.... We can maybe then focus on catching up with the 21st century! It’s great news about the trains.....has always frustrated me on a Sunday!”

A London Midland spokesperson said: “We are delighted that we can offer more services from Bromsgrove, especially in time for Christmas.”

He added rail users would now be able to enjoy some more time at the festive events in Birmingham and Worcester.

London Midland to be punished if it does not improve services - http://www.bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/2012/11/27/news-London-Midland-will-be-punished-if-it-breaches-contract-56704.html#.ULftbKztS2A

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