First Great Western is planning to add another train to its service next year, according to MP Harriett Baldwin. The MP met with First Great Western chief executive Tim O’Toole following the news that the company has chosen not to extend the franchise for a three-year period starting 2013. Harriett has been an active campaigner for improved train services between Worcestershire and the capital and wants an hourly service to London as part of the service commitment in a new franchise deal. Network Rail last week announced the completion of five miles of track-laying along the line to Oxford a further 15 miles to be completed in August. The work will result in line closures throughout August but will lead to an improved timetable in September. Harriett commented: “First Great Western is keen to bid for a longer franchise for the Cotswold Line. “In our discussions, I was told that there are plans for an extra service to be added to the line in 2012 alongside the slightly enhanced timetable and an extra train from September. “My constituents want to see a vastly improved service from the county to London so that they do not travel via Warwick Parkway, Birmingham International and Newport and I will keep up the pressure on this issue and during the franchise negotiations.”