Boost as line gets new train services

Rail passengers in Cannock Chase have been given a boost after the launch of new train services and an improved timetable on the Chase Line.

Train operators London Midland have brought in new services on the Cannock Chase line which runs through Cannock, Hednesford, Rugeley and into the Black Country.

New services include early morning and evening trains to start and end at Rugeley Trent Valley station which previously only served Rugeley town station.

Saturday services to Stafford from Rugeley have been subject to a replacement bus service during the multi-million Trent Valley Four Tracking Project on the West Coast Main Line but trains will now run between the two towns.

Keith Fitch, Cannock Chase Rail Promotion Group chairman, said: "This is a welcome change as we have been campaigning for this for many years. "

London Midland says that more improvements may be on the way.

Cannock Chase Council, London Midland, Network Rail and Centro have had talks about longer trains, improved timetables, refurbished platforms and increased parking.

There may also be new services to Birmingham New Street and more trains to London from Rugeley by December.

In 2005 the number of passengers travelling between Rugeley and Birmingham was 95,600 but this jumped to 112,355 in 2007.