Alex Johnson of Mathon Road, Malvern, says we need better timed trains (From Hereford Times)

Alex Johnson of Mathon Road, Malvern, says we need better timed trains

3:00pm Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Letters

WORKING in Bill Wiggin MP’s office and also as a regular user of Herefordshire transport services during my school days, I believe that improving rail services within the county and links with the rest of the country will have a trickle down affect on services and businesses in Herefordshire and improve the quality of life for us all.

After a study on the shortcomings of services in Herefordshire we noted five areas for improvement.

Firstly, weekday connections from Hereford to London start at 5.35am, this train being scheduled to arrive at London Paddington at 8.51am.

Therefore unless you work in the station or plan on competing with Usain Bolt in the Olympic 100metre final, the chances of you making your desk by 9am are highly unlikely.

Secondly the last direct train to return to Herefordshire from London Paddington on a weekday is 7.22pm. This is ridiculously early for those staying late at work, going for drinks, or just having a day out in London. Thirdly, on Sundays the latest direct train leaving Paddington to Hereford is 5.42pm.

This has to be later.

On an local level, from Colwall to Worcester there is a train at 7.56am. However if you did have the mischance of missing the train, which I did try and do many times to avoid registration, you must wait until 9.14am for the next service.

It is even more annoying if this service is cancelled. Many times, the potentially chilly wait in your “hand-me-down” trousers exposing your ankles to the elements isn’t the most enjoyable experience before a long day at school, believe me, Lastly on weekdays, returning from Worcester to Herefordshire the trains are 3.32pm, 4.32pm and 5.35pm and thereafter every half an hour. Now with school times finishing roughly at 3.30pm, the wait is far too long for the next train. It doesn’t make sense putting hour gaps at peak time and thereafter cutting waiting times.

Vulnerable children, especially, should not have to wait excessive times to get home.

With all this in mind Herefordshire’s constituents can rest assured that Bill is doing everything he can on the issue, along with many others, to keep Herefordshire linked with the rest of the country and make sure that the people of Herefordshire are provided with a fair and frequent services.

ALEX JOHNSON, Mathon Road, Malvern.