Concern over train services

Train passengers in Telford are being given unreliable information and left on freezing platforms, a leading politician has claimed.

David Wright, Labour MP for Telford, has called on London Midland, the train operator which manages the station, to improve passenger facilities at Telford Central.

He also wants more seats on the trains from the station, after being told by residents that they are often left standing.

Mr Wright said: "I have been approached by a number of constituents voicing concern at the state of the train service.

"There is considerable concern from constituents about the staffing arrangements at the station with the station regularly being locked and no staff present.

"Passengers are regularly being left to stand on freezing cold platforms, while the display board shows inaccurate information which doesn't link in with the Tannoy announcements."

Mr Wright said he has written to Stephen Banaghan, London Midland managing director, asking him to consider extending the opening hours for the waiting room and asking what progress the company has made on increasing train seating capacity.

"I would like to know what alternative the company is going to put in place to ensure customers are not left standing outside when the station is closed," he said.

"Also, a number of constituents have complained to me that the illuminated signs at the station do not necessarily carry up-to-date real-time information on train departures."

Mr Wright said, while he was delighted progress was being made with updated trains, more needed to be done to ensure people continued to be attracted to travel on the railway.

London Midland, which manages Telford Central station on behalf of Network Rail, operates services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street, via Telford.

A spokesman for London Midland said today: "We can confirm we have received a letter from David Wright and it is something we will be looking into."

By Andrew Morris