News Release

11th November 2002

RAILWAY STATION UPGRADES DELAYED

Michael Fabricant will be questioning the new Transport Minister, Alistair Darling, following a letter he has received from Railtrack stating that with Railtrack being placed into Administration - by the now disgraced former minister, Stephen Byers - it is impossible "to confirm when works might begin" to upgrade Lichfield Trent Valley Railway station. This is likely to affect stations in the whole Midlands Zone region of Railtrack including Lichfield's other railway station: Lichfield City.

Richard Fearn, the Midlands Zone Director of Railtrack, had written to Michael back in May 2000 that works would be initiated this year on upgrading Lichfield City and Lichfield Trent Valley Railway stations. This would include the provision of toilets, upgraded waiting rooms and ticket offices at both stations. In addition, Lichfield Trent Valley Railway station would have its platform extended to accommodate the new Virgin West Coast Trains, extra car parking, disabled access between the cross city line and the west coast mainline (currently on different levels and only accessible via a steep outdoor flight of stairs) and pedestrian and cycle links. Now, Mr Fearn in his latest letter is unable to confirm when, if ever, these works are likely to begin.

Michael Fabricant says: "The current state of the two Lichfield train stations are a disgrace and create a dreadful first impression of the City to visitors. Moreover, long suffering Lichfield commuters to London and the North have had their hopes of upgraded facilities at Trent Valley station dashed following the Government's unnecessary moves against Railtrack. Having been promised by the Government an 'integrated transport policy' and proposals to encourage people to use public transport, it really is a bit of a joke that Lichfield's only mainline railway station only has a portacabin and a too-short platform to its name.