West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has called on rail bosses to review timetable changes which will see a reduction in peak-time train services between Worcester and Hereford.

The MP met with West Midlands Trains boss Ian McConnell last year after the rail operator experiences serious staffing shortages on commuter train routes to and from Birmingham.

Dame Harriett was told that many drivers were on long term sick leave and many refused to cover weekend services meaning additional train services cancellations affecting residents travelling between Worcester and Hereford.

And now the rail operator has decided that peak time services will be cancelled between the two cities because of maintenance issues on the company’s diesel train stock.

Shortages of engines mean that the train timetable will be reduced from March 31removing peak time services for local people. The MP has written to the train company asking for an immediate review of this decision.

Dame Harriett said: “The rail operator has failed to deliver a fit-for-purpose train service for many years with successive managers blaming anyone but themselves for the appalling train service.

“I understand the challenges staffing the service seven days a week, but this latest failure is unacceptable. Good managers make contingencies in case supply networks fail and this seems to be a matter of poor planning.

“As with previous regimes, the management at West Midland Trains finds it convenient to punish commuters on the line between Hereford and Worcester and this is simply not acceptable.

“I have asked the management to come up with a better plan that doesn’t mean that commuters will simply stop to use the commuter service in the future.”