AN improved service for Hartlebury rail passengers has had a negative knock-on effect for five stations, including Blakedown.

London Midland’s Worcester to Birmingham trains no longer stop at Langley Green, Old Hill, Lye, Hagley and Blakedown on off-peak or Saturdays to “form a balanced service pattern”.

Churchill and Blakedown parish councillor Roy Keys said there was “no consultation” for residents about the changes, which came into play on December 8.

Blakedown passengers will now have to change at Kidderminster to go to Worcester by train between 9.15am and 3.45pm Monday to Fridays or on Saturdays.

Mr Keys said: “You now have bout eight minutes to get a ticket at Kidderminster and then you’ve got to get across the bridge on to the other side. For some people, such as those
who are disabled, it’s going to be more difficult.

“Of course, there’s a bigger picture that we don’t see but there was no consultation.

“We’ve still got a means [to get to Worcester] but it’s drastically reduced. The train has been a godsend for disabled people in Blakedown.”

Blakedown resident Primrose Coley also expressed concerns about the change to the service.

She said: “I haven’t got a problem with Hartlebury having increased services but the trains are going through Hagley and Blakedown but not stopping.”

The improved Hartlebury service was brought in after a successful campaign by Stour bridge Line User Group and the Cotswold Line Promotion Group.

A spokeswoman for London Midland said: “Stopping patterns for off-peak and Saturday services have been subject to minor amendments in the winter timetable.

“The service amendments have been introduced to form a bal anced service pattern in either direction."