VALE rail users are urging local MPs and the Transport Minister to intervene over a catalogue of train cancellations and serious delays on the Cotswold Line from Worcester to London) since the start of the year.

The Vale Public Transport Group, comprising representatives from local town and parish councils, has highlighted one day last week - Monday, February 12 - when train operator Great Western Railway cancelled six services completely between Worcester and London, with six more trains terminated or starting at Worcester and failing to serve Malvern and Hereford.

Peak-time morning commuters into Worcester from Evesham, Pershore and Honeybourne were hit by the cancellation of their train on every single day last, week with replacement bus services failing to appear or running extremely late.

Their peak evening return service - the 5.26pm Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington has also been among the trains cancelled on a regular basis this month.

The Vale Group has now written to MPs Harriett Baldwin and Nigel Huddleston with copies to Worcester MP Robin Walker and transport minister Chris Grayling urging them to bring Great Western Railway to account.

Group secretary Helen Whitwell said: "Reliability problems dating back some considerable time on the Cotswold and Worcester-Bristol routes have been compounded since January with many cancellations of trains due, we understand, to lack of available train crew for new trains.

"These regular delays are causing serious inconvenience and hardship for customers, and particularly for those who rely on the trains to get them to and from work.

"There is also growing evidence that many business and leisure travellers are now deserting the Cotswold Line in favour of more reliable and regular interval routes - and often cheaper off-peak fares - from Birmingham or Warwick Parkway."

"This is hardly surprising when any cancellation on the Cotswold Line can result in a three or four hour off-peak gap in train services and when there appears little effort to provide alternate transport options or keep the public properly informed."

Train cancellations and alterations on Monday, February 12.

0547: London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street. CANCELLED.

0825: Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington. CANCELLED.

0750: London Paddington to Great Malvern. Terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.

0822: London Paddington to Hereford. Terminated at Worcester Foregate Street 30 minutes late.

1059: Great Malvern to London Paddington. Started at Worcester Shrub Hill.

0921: London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street. CANCELLED.

1200: Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington. CANCELLED.

1514: Hereford to London Paddington. Started at Worcester Foregate Street.

1421: London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street. CANCELLED.

1726: Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington. CANCELLED.

1622: London Paddington to Great Malvern. Terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.

1944: Great Malvern to London Paddington. Started at Worcester Shrub Hill.