THE Mid-Worcestershire MP has voiced his support for improvements to trains on the Cotswold Line, after Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street featured in a list of the top 10 worst-performing train services.

Nigel Huddleston said there has been a “significant deterioration” in Great Western Railway’s service along the northern part of the line in recent months.

“I am sad to say that my mailbag has been full of complaints about GWR’s service from constituents,” he said, speaking in Westminster Hall on Wednesday (March 28).

Mr Huddleston said the government needs to do more “to hold franchisees to account when the services they provide to British taxpayers fall short”.

With the Department for Transport currently consulting on the future of the GWR franchise along the line, Wednesday’s debate was led by Robert Courts, MP for Witney.

Mr Huddleston said the 11.22am and 2.21pm trains from Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street featured on GWR’s top 10 worst.

This was highlighted on February 12, when six trains were cancelled completely and six were either terminated or started at Worcester Shrub Hill, instead of operating through Worcester Foregate Street, the Malverns or Hereford.

“Two days later,” continued the MP, “another six services between Worcester and London were cancelled, and two commuter services between London and Worcester did not operate for a week due to a lack of available drivers.

“Although GWR has acknowledged publicly and in communication with me that the service it provides has fallen short, the issue has not been addressed fast enough,” he added.

Mr Huddleston went on to say that The Vale Public Transport Group has claimed that “there is growing evidence that businesses and leisure travellers are deserting the Cotswold line”.

“A number of constituents have told me that they have had to abandon the train altogether and now drive into work because they cannot risk relying on the Cotswold line to serve their needs.”

He said a stand-alone franchise for the north Cotswold line should be considered, as well as a redoubling.

A spokesman for GWR apologised for recent performances, putting the issue down to driver training issues, as well as train and infrastructure “challenges”.

“We are doing all we can to get back to time, by prioritising North Cotswolds services where possible, and to mitigate delays when they do occur,” he said.