PRIME MINISTER David Cameron has joined local politicians and business chiefs welcoming a long-term plan to improve train service for Worcestershire commuters.
Great Western Railways last week set out an eight year plan to improve the Cotswold Line service which links the county with London and the South East.
The Cotswold Line franchise currently runs until 2019 but the company has set out a long-term plan for service improvements if it retains the deal beyond the end of this decade.
The GWR presentation took place in the Prime Minister’s Witney constituency and saw the rail operator set out a vision for improvement works to the line over the next eight years as well as the introduction of Worcestershire Parkway station and improvements to Pershore station.
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin welcomed the announcements which aim to bring a faster train service to local commuters.
Harriett commented: “I join the Prime Minister in welcoming the ambition to deliver faster and more frequent services along the Cotswold Line.
“I personally have spoken to the rail operator about the much-needed station improvements in Pershore and the importance to making more, not less use of this vital station on the Cotswold Line.
"Our critical priority has to be dualling along more of its length enabling many more services to run to and from London.
"I think it is a really useful framework for the future and hope that local people study the plans and make their views known."