THE Stourbridge Line User Group (SLUG), which lobbies on behalf of rail passengers, is holding its public meeting and annual meeting next Tuesday at the Severn Valley Railway station in Kidderminster.

Issues likely to be covered in the public meeting, which is open to everyone, include cuts in public spending and how they affect transport and whether rail passengers' train tickets are being devalued by reduced customer service and comfort.

The campaign for a new Kidderminster station is also set to be aired.

Representatives of London Midland and Chiltern Railways will answer questions on train provision, while officers from Worcestershire County Council and Centro will explain how the network can be improved. The issue ofiIntegrated public transport will be on the agenda.

SLUG will seek reassurances that trains will connect with buses and vice versa, believing the fare-paying public want convenience in their journeys and in the way they pay for them.

The group is not asking the audience to “grill” its guest speakers but to comment on their travel experiences and suggest how improvements can be made.

The meeting, with entrance through the King and Castle bar, starts at 7.30pm. Drinks will be available during the interval in the refreshment room, where the event will take place.

SLUG represents users of passenger rail services between Worcester and Birmingham via Stourbridge, including all stations in Birmingham and Worcester and the branch to from Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town.