A TRAIN operator has been praised for providing a more extensive service to and from Hartlebury.

The Stourbridge Line User Group (SLUG), which represents passengers using the Birmingham to Worcester railway line, commended London Midland for improving the Hartlebury service.

The new timetable, which comes into effect in December, offers residents of Hartlebury a train every hour to key locations along the line.

SLUG chairman Rob Hebron said: “I am delighted that London Midland has started to put Hartlebury back on the local railway map and I hope that the service can develop to allow long-distance journeys, where the passenger can return home late in the evening after a day out.”

SLUG officer, John Rutherford, who lives in Hartlebury, added: “The Hartlebury community has waited a long time for a proper train service. London Midland has shown a commitment to the village and it is hoped the residents will support it.

“Our station is also now an alternative rail head for Stourport and we hope that one of the local bus companies will provide a link for non-car users.”

Hartlebury is an unstaffed station but has seating and waiting shelters. The former station booking office is now a bar and restaurant, named The Old Ticket Office.

Group members said they now needed to convince London Midland that 5.49pm was too early for the last train of the day from Birmingham Moor Street.

The improved performance of the Class 172s has made it possible to add a Hartlebury stop during daytime. The trains continue to run through the evening but going non-stop through Hartlebury.

SLUG said it fought long and hard to convince London Midland of the passenger market in Hartlebury, adding that without the perseverance of the SLUG liaison team, the village might have waited even longer for its daytime trains.

More detailed information regarding the timetable upgrade can be found on the SLUG website, stourbridgelineusergroup.info