Railway users facing long bus rides

Major engineering work on the Chase rail line during the summer will leave passengers in Cannock and Walsall facing lengthy bus journeys.

Network Rail will be carrying out the work on Sundays from July 20 until August 23 and have warned the work will affect the entire passenger service on the Chase Line.

This will mean passengers in Rugeley, Hednesford, Cannock, Great Wyrley, Bloxwich and Walsall having to make the trip by bus.

The replacement bus service will be in operation on each of the days although it is expected the trip could take more than twice as long as normal.

Passengers from Rugeley could face a journey of two hours to Birmingham but there will be buses running hourly.

The renewal work is part of major changes on the Chase Line which could see increases in trains and higher train speeds.

Keith Fitch, chairman of Cannock Rail Promotion Group, said people needed to be prepared for the longer journeys but in the end the disruption would be worth it.

He said: "The timetable shows the bus service will replicate the trains but obviously travelling by bus is going to take longer. Normally it would take just under an hour from Rugeley to Birmingham but the bus will take almost double that.

"These things can be painful to take at the time but in the long run it is better for everyone."

Mr Fitch said his group were continuing to have discussions with the rail companies about further improvements to the service. He said these include the need for a half- hourly service and later evening services to Rugeley.