With over 1,000 responses from frustrated and angry rail users in just one week and public safety paramount, a public hearing into the chaotic train services provided by West Midlands Trains will take place at Lloyd House Birmingham B4 6AT between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Friday 21st February 2020.
The meeting will be led by the former Minister of Transport and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, together with the Leader of Birmingham City Council and the Transport spokesperson for the West Midlands Combined Authority, Councillor Ian Ward.
Invitations to make presentations and answer the public’s concerns have been sent to:
- West Midlands Trains
- Network Rail
- West Midlands Police
- British Transport Police
- West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Mayor
- A Government Minister for Transport and Senior Civil Servant
- Rail Passenger Groups
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, said:
“The safety and wellbeing of those members of the public who use West Midlands Trains and our rail network is paramount. That is why I and the Leader of Birmingham City Council are pressing ahead with this urgent public hearing.
He added:
“I said I would call a public meeting if things did not improve on the West Midlands Rail network. Well according to over 1,000 members of the public who have flooded us with their complaints it is clear that promised improvements by West Midlands Trains has not been forthcoming. Therefore, both Ian and I believe the public deserve answers. This includes answers about problems of timetables, delays, cancellations, overcrowding on platforms and train journeys, signalling and the modernisation of some very shabby trains and carriages.”
The Leader of Birmingham City Council Ian Ward said:
“The sheer scale of the response to this call for evidence shows that rail passengers in the West Midlands have had enough. They deserve answers but also reassurance that the rail service across this region will improve.
“If we’re going to reduce the number of cars on our roads, people must have access to reliable public transport and the train service has a big part to play.”
To take part in the call for evidence the website link is: https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/trains/
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