Transport Minister Simon Burns has agreed to consider calls for improvement in the Cotswold Line service following a meeting with a delegation of local MPs. MPs from Herefordshire and Worcestershire have banded together to make the case for an improved service between London, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The route takes in the notorious Cotswold Line which is partly single-track, overcrowded and infrequent for both commuters and tourists. MPs Harriett Baldwin, Peter Luff, Jesse Norman, Robin Walker and Bill Wiggin all signed a joint letter calling for ‘a faster and more frequent train service’ as well as criticising the franchise tender documents published last July for ‘a lack of ambition’. The group of MPs met the Minister at the House of Commons yesterday (December 4) and described the meeting as 'useful'. Harriett Baldwin commented: “Simon Burns is a new Minister and could not believe how poorly served our counties are by the current infrastructure. “While he made it clear that while the current franchise process is frozen, with the four bids in sealed envelopes, he was receptive to the case we made for better infrastructure. “He asked officials to write to us with suggestions for how we might unlock some further improvements to the track and to signalling. “As a group of MPs, we are of one mind that we urgently need a 21st century service for commuters and tourists and this long term investment promises to offer economic growth to both Herefordshire and Worcestershire benefiting many thousands of people.” Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff added: "I was particularly pleased to hear how clearly the Minister understood the case for a Worcestershire Parkway station. This project seems to be tantalisingly close to becoming a reality thanks to the hard work of the county council. Now we have to persuade Network Rail to give it their full support" Worcester MP Robin Walker commented: “It was great to have the Worcestershire MPs speaking with one voice on improvements that we need to see to serve our constituents and get our trains running faster. We need to keep up the pressure and use every opportunity to put the case for a better service.”