More train travel woe for passengers

CHILTERN Railways are in the firing line this week amid growing concerns about the services it operates from Stratford-upon-Avon.

The railway operator has prompted fresh anger from residents following its latest announcement that railway services between Stratford and Leamington Spa will not operate on 18th/19th August and the August Bank Holiday weekend a week later.

With calls for urgent action to improve Stratford’s growing transport problems, an efficient regular rail service could take the pressure off, but many believe Chiltern are not stepping up to the mark.

The company says the upcoming cancellations are down to engineering works outside of their control, but some are angry that they occur on two of the busiest weekends of the year.

According to Fraser Pithie, of the Shakespeare Line Promotion Group, the cancellations are just the latest in a series of gripes local people have with the operator.

Mr Pithie said: “The withdrawal of train services at the height of the visitor season is unacceptable for an international tourist town that attracts some 5.7 million visitors a year with over a million rail passenger journeys through its railway station."

Full story in the latest edition of the Herald.