Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a commitment from rail operator First Great Western to enhance rail services to Worcestershire. This week the train operator announced a tranche of improved services as part of its commitment in a new franchise extension which will run for four years. Harriett met with FGW chief executive Mark Hopwood to discuss proposals to enhance services to Malvern and Pershore stations. FGW has made some interim service changes as part of the new spring timetable allowing faster services between Worcester, Oxford and London. But Harriett pressed the train operator to commit to the introduction of better services for commuters from Malvern and Pershore as well as ensuring a fit-for-purpose service for shoppers and students at Pershore. Harriett commented: “I have been working with FGW, Railway Minister Claire Perry and Network Rail after the latest timetable changes were announced. “While we all agree the need for faster, more frequent and more reliable services to the capital this must not be at the expense of train services to Pershore and Malvern and I have vociferously made that point to all involved. “FGW has pledged to bring better connections to the county which I hope will be welcomed by local rail users and we also hope to see new rolling stock, bringing quicker journey times very soon. “I will continue to work with FGW and Network Rail to make the case for a doubled line between Evesham and Worcester which will allow more services to be added. “However in the interim, FGW had to make some changes to the timetable and I will continue to monitor their impact.”