Public hearing into West Midlands Trains scheduled for next month

It comes after more than 1,000 responses to a survey from angry rail users in just one week about the services provided in the region by West Midlands Trains.

The meeting – which will be held by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and former transport minister David Jamieson and Birmingham Council leader and transport spokesman for the West Midlands Combined Authority, Councillor Ian Ward – will take place on Friday, February 21, at 1.30pm at Lloyd House, in Birmingham.

Invitations to make presentations and answer the public's concerns have been sent to West Midlands Trains, Network Rail, West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Mayor, a Government Minister for Transport and senior civil servant, and rail passenger groups.

Mr Jamieson said: "The safety and wellbeing of those members of the public who use West Midlands Trains and our rail network is paramount. That is why I and the leader of Birmingham City Council are pressing ahead with this urgent public hearing.

"I said I would call a public meeting if things did not improve on the West Midlands Rail network. Well according to over 1,000 members of the public who have flooded us with their complaints it is clear that promised improvements by West Midlands Trains has not been forthcoming.

"Therefore, both Ian and I believe the public deserve answers. This includes answers about problems of timetables, delays, cancellations, overcrowding on platforms and train journeys, signalling and the modernisation of some very shabby trains and carriages.”

Councillor Ward added: "The sheer scale of the response to this call for evidence shows that rail passengers in the West Midlands have had enough. They deserve answers but also reassurance that the rail service across this region will improve.

"If we're going to reduce the number of cars on our roads, people must have access to reliable public transport and the train service has a big part to play."

To take part in the survey, visit www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/trains.