Harriett Baldwin today stepped up her campaign to improve the county rail service to London after securing a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport. The MP has been an active campaigner pressing for improvements in the rail service and this is a further step in her effort to improve the frequency and speed of the Cotswold Line to the capital. Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, today told the House of Commons that a long term strategy for the improvement of rail services would be issued in November. But the West Worcestershire MP called for a meeting to discuss how the service could be improved and speed up travel times for London commuters. Harriett told the House: “It takes 45 minutes longer to travel from London to Worcestershire than it did in 1908 along the Cotswold Line. “Would the Secretary of State agree to meet with me and other representatives of the Cotswold Line organisations to see how reform of the rail industry could help improve the timing and frequency of that service.” The Secretary of State highlighted the fact that there are now more stops and services between the two destinations than in the past but said he would be ‘delighted’ to meet to discuss the issue. Harriett added: “I will also be urging him to put pressure on Network Rail to finish the dualling of track to Oxford which is another significant delay for train users. It really is time we had a 21st century train service to help our businesses compete on the national and international stage.” | Hansard