Get tough over train failings, urges Tory

The Tory prospective Parliamentary candidate for Stafford and Penkridge has hit out at the Government for failing to take strong action over the London Midland rail service.

Jeremy Lefroy said concerns continued over the ability of London Midland to provide an adequate Sunday service. "Sunday is a busy day on the railway and we cannot just sit back and hope things will improve, which appears to be the Government's position." he said. "They really need to get their act together and require London Midland to provide the service for which they are contracted."

He said Conservative MP for Lichfield, Michael Fabricant, had received a response over the matter from Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan.

The minister said the Department for Transport expected London Midland to plan its resources and work with trade union and staff representatives to ensure that all specified services, including Sunday services, were delivered.

He said that the service also took in Stafford railway station and was used by many people from the town as a "cheaper" option for getting to London on the Trent Valley line.

"Sunday is quite an important day for travel and it is important that advertised services do run.

"I will be continuing to press for a reliable service for people in this area in the lead up to the next General Election and beyond," he added.

Mr Lefroy has also had talks with Virgin Trains at the Tory conference in Manchester about improving its services to Stafford.

"I want to see later return services from both London and Manchester. Currently the last train from Euston is at 10pm which is no good for people who go down for a show and don't want to have to stay over night.

"I would like to see a last train back at 11pm," said Mr Lefroy.