West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has today welcomed proposals which hope to reform local rail services and called for fresh thinking to deliver improvements to Pershore’s train station. The MP has written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling supporting his plans to encourage the rail operators and Network Rail to work closer together to integrate rail service improvements and called on him to intervene to help to deliver improved parking in Pershore. The proposals set out by the Department for Transport will come into force as each train franchise is renewed but Harriett has asked Secretary of State to intervene to apply the principals now to deliver a swift solution for the town. Harriett commented: “One of the major hold-ups delaying the doubling of the Cotswold Line between Worcester and London is the lack of collaboration between the franchise holder and Network Rail. “This is compounded by intransigence between the two companies over the proposals to improve car parking facilities in Pershore and I have asked the Transport Secretary to look into this matter. “Wychavon District Council has a simple and workable solution which will benefit local rail users hugely. It is such shame that this project is being rendered impossibly expensive by the strictures of Network Rail. “I hope that the two companies will take this announcement as a nudge to work out a better way to deliver an improved Pershore train station and accelerate the process of bidding for and delivering better services for county rail commuters.”