Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, calls for government funding to extend platforms at Chase Line stations.
Amanda Milling MP recently met with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon. Chris Grayling to discuss the extensive issues facing Chase Line commuters and ways to address growing passenger numbers once the line is fully electrified.
The electrification of the line will mean that there are faster trains and a more frequent service once fully operational, helping to address the significant problems which passengers have been experiencing.
The Autumn saw passengers on the Chase Line face delayed, cancelled and severely overcrowded trains.
However, the Cannock Chase MP has concerns that the benefits of the line electrification will be delayed given a lack of electric rolling stock availability, with a potential delay until Christmas 2018 before trains are running on the line. With passenger numbers increasing year on year, which will continue into the coming years, especially when Mill Green, the new designer outlet village, is opened. The MP believes that platforms need extending so they can accommodate longer trains. The Cannock Chase MP has therefore urged the Transport Secretary to intervene, stressing the need get electric trains on the line as soon as possible and platforms extended to cope with growing passenger numbers.
Amanda Milling said: "The last few months have been horrific for Chase Line passengers. I still get reports on a daily basis of delayed and cancelled trains. The electrification of the line will mean a better, faster and more frequent service but we need electric trains running on the line as soon as the works are completed, line tested and drivers trained. I expressed my concerns to the Transport Secretary that there could be delays in running electric trains on the line and called on him to review the availability of electric trains.
She added: "One of the issues is that the platforms can only accommodate a certain 3 carriage model of electric train which means there is a limited pool of stock around the country. That aside, it has been well known for years when the engineering works will be complete so it is unacceptable that rolling stock was not sourced in preparation for the running of an electrified service.
The Cannock Chase MP continued: "With passenger numbers increasing every year we need to build as much capacity as possible to cope with increasing demand. Not only do we need a more frequent service but we also need to run longer trains to further increase capacity. To do this we need longer platforms at our stations. I have therefore urged the Secretary of State to look at how the government can support investment in Chase Line stations.