Rail group vows to fight service axe

Rail campaigners in Staffordshire have vowed to fight plans to axe a train service between Walsall and Wolverhampton later this year.

Members of Cannock Chase Rail Promotion Group have pledged to fight plans to terminate the rail service between Walsall and Wolverhampton from this December. Centro was left reeling last week after the Department for Transport refused to continue funding for the hourly Wolverhampton to Walsall service run by London Midland.

If alternative funding is not found by December the line will be axed, despite a recent 30 per cent surge in passenger numbers.

Cannock Chase Rail Promotion Group chairman Keith Fitch said members were dismayed by the news. He said: "It seems incredible that a rail service is being withdrawn in an area where there is such heavy traffic congestion.

"The current rail service only takes 13 minutes and there is no way that you could do this journey by road in this time. Indeed, the alternative bus service will take at least three times longer.

"This is a severe blow to many rail passengers in the Cannock Chase area who use this service to travel to Wolverhampton and beyond by changing from the Chase Line services at Walsall."

The group has already written to various rail bodies to express concern at the proposal and to urge a rethink. Mr Fitch added: "We understand that Centro is opposed to this closure and is investigating potential solutions and the group supports this approach."

It is just one of the many changes to rail services which will be effective from December and the group is hoping there will also be some improvements.

Mr Fitch said: "There is a possibility that there may be some further improvements in the service from Rugeley, Hednesford, Cannock to Walsall and Birmingham."

Cannock Chase Rail Promotion Group will meet at Lea Hall Social Club, Sandy Lane, Rugeley at 7.30pm on Tuesday.