REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley is meeting with the chief executive of London Midland Rail to discuss the recent delays and cancellations on trains, which have affected Redditch commuters.

A shortage of staff on the line running to Birmingham, means that up to four trains a day are being delayed, and the process could continue until Christmas.

Ms Lumley received some reassurances that the situation is being dealt with, from the minister responsible for the issue, Norman Baker MP, but she has a meeting this Wednesday with Patrick Verwer, chief executive of London Midland Rail.

She said: “This Wednesday, I will make my views very clear that the service from Redditch to Lichfield is simply not acceptable in its current form. It is completely and utterly unacceptable that passengers who have paid above inflation fares for the past several years should have a service which is not reliable and subject to delays.

“The only solution I will accept is immediate action to resume a full service without delays or cancellations. If not, London Midland must face financial consequences or worse for not running the service it is legally bound to carry out.

“Jobs are at risk if this service cannot operate. There cannot be no excuse from London Midland Rail and on Wednesday, I will do all I can to ensure that this failure is resolved and quickly.”