News Release

7th August 2006

FAST TRAIN SERVICES IN DOUBT AFTER 2008

The future of high speed commuter Virgin train links between Lichfield, Tamworth and other smaller towns and London have been thrown into doubt following a letter received by Michael Fabricant from Transport Minister, Derek Twigg MP.

The Minister, responding to an earlier letter from Michael Fabricant questioning the continued availability of direct high speed Pendolino services from Lichfield to London and back, says that following the completion of the four tracking of the West Coast Main Line north of Lichfield and the remodelling of tracks at Rugby and Milton Keynes railway stations, "to reap the full economic benefit from the considerable public investment in this project, it is vital that passengers are attracted to the route in large numbers and the best way to do this is to ensure that there are fast and frequent trains between London and the major cities." He goes on to explain that by 'major cities' he means Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Glasgow. He says that Lichfield (and other routes - such as Tamworth) to London services will be augmented "using the new fleet of 100mph air conditioned 'Desiro' units. Although the journey times achieved by the Desiros will not match the Pendolinos, this will still be an extremely attractive service."

Michael Fabricant says: "The expansion and wealth of Lichfield has come about partly because of a recognition that a pleasant work-life balance can be achieved by living in Staffordshire and commuting on 125mph virtually non-stop Pendolino trains to London with journey times reduced to around 100 minutes. The new Desiro trains, while being more frequent, are slower and will stop at many more stations en route resulting in greatly increased travel times. This will not be acceptable to commuters and will make Lichfield a less attractive place in which to live for those who commute to work.