West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has repeated her backing for county train stops as operators develop plans for faster and more frequent trains to London. First Great Western has been awarded an extension to its franchise to offer the company stability and allow it to plan for improvements to the Cotswold Line connection between Worcestershire. Harriett, together with her Westminster colleagues Sir Peter Luff and Robin Walker, have lobbied for significant improvements on the journey times to London. She has written to Transport Minister Claire Perry urging her to help to make the case for improved investment in the line to complete the dualling of the tracks between Evesham and Worcester allowing for more trains to the run along the busy line. Harriett commented: “The Prime Minister has written in support of our bid to get precious funds to dual the line and I hope that we will get some good news soon. “I have also spoken with the Minister and set out my case for improved investment in the track alongside a quicker, more frequent and more reliable service for commuters and tourists on the Cotswold Line. “While I welcome First Great Western’s thoughts around removing delays through Worcester, I am clear that we cannot secure a faster train service by simply removing stops from the line and I have lobbied to protect station stops at Malvern and Pershore. “I also want to see this train company work closely with London Midland to ensure better connections between their service and the line from Birmingham to Hereford. “I have met with the Minister, commuter groups and a vice pesident of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group and we are agreed that the clear solution is to complete the dualling of the track between Evesham and Worcester allowing more trains to run. “If we complete this task, it will be easier for the franchise holder to operate a much more efficient service and offer commuters a level of service which they badly need.”