Cannock Chase MP, Amanda Milling hosted the Government's Minister of State for Rail, Huw Merriman MP, to Cannock Chase on a tour of the Chase Line to welcome the new timetable for Rugeley, discuss accessibility issues faced by passengers at the Rugeley stations and raise a number of other issues impacting passengers.
Amanda Milling MP started the tour at Rugeley Trent Valley where she discussed accessibility issues at the station with the Minister. The Cannock Chase MP spoke of the need to replace the footbridge to make the northbound and Chase Line platforms more accessible. She also discussed the need to address the dangerous car park access at the station.
The tour continued on to Rugeley Town station where passengers face similar accessibility issues.
While travelling along the railway line via Hednesford and Cannock the ongoing issues of fare-dodging and anti-social behaviour were also discussed.
The tour also covered a discussion about the upcoming timetable improvements on the line.
Amanda Milling MP has long campaigned for the last service on the Chase Line from Birmingham to go all the way to Rugeley, instead of terminating at Hednesford. The MP has spoken about this issue in the House of Commons and she has raised in various meetings including with the Minister earlier this year.
The Cannock Chase MP welcomed the timetable change due on 10th December that will see the 23:22 service (Mon-Sat) from Birmingham New Street to continue through to Rugeley Trent Valley. It currently terminates at Hednesford.
Amanda Milling said:
“I am so grateful to Huw Merriman MP, the Rail Minister, for coming to Cannock Chase to discuss the new timetable and see the issues faced by passengers.
“After campaigning in the House of Commons and making the case to the Rail Minister, I was pleased to welcome the recent news that the new December timetable will see the last train go from Birmingham to the Rugeley stations, rather than terminating at Hednesford. This new timetable is great news for Rugeley passengers!
“It was a very productive and positive visit. But the work does not stop here - I will continue to campaign for further improvements to be made to our stations and train services.”
