STROUD MP David Drew shares an update on trainlines throughout his constituency.

I had a meeting with First GW and Network Rail last week to get an update on the train situation in the constituency.

On the London line there is some relatively good news.

The new rolling stock will start to come on stream from the end of the year which will give more capacity on trains.

This is one positive aspect from the electrification of other parts of the system.

Interestingly the 125s have been sold to Scotland!

As always I lobbied for half hourly trains on the Stroud Valleys line, now easily possible since the success of re-doubling – at least we will get the gaps in service filled, but we will have to wait for a change in operator, hopefully after nationalisation for many more trains.

This line remains a gold mine and it is always disappointing when it’s potential is not being fulfilled.

I also asked about station improvements and some minor ones are on the way, including the formal opening of the new ticket office at Stonehouse.

News on the Bristol – Birmingham line is not so positive. Obviously I asked for more stopping trains and the re-opening of Stonehouse Bristol Rd station.

Both will sadly be thwarted until and unless attitudes change.

I accept that this is a more difficult line to manipulate because of the conflict between stopping and inter-city trains which does not occur on the London line.

However it is disappointing that the frequency, reliability and capacity issues remain unsolved.

Whilst it is good that the expansion of the car park at Cam and Dursley station has eased the parking problems there, there is a continuing issue with the way in which customers are treated.

It is a great pity at what has been a great railway success story is marred by an unwillingness or inability to get the service requirements right.

As someone who again regularly travels by train I have to say that when journeys work it is a wonderful form of transport.

Unfortunately we have a system still in need of massive investment.

Clearly improving journey times to London (and Cheltenham) will help as a result of electrification elsewhere but we still need to recognise that Gloucestershire still loses out because it has an inferior train network compared to other parts of the country.

We are not looking for major new lines, just enhancements of our existing service.

Surely that is not too much to ask for?