YOU have been writing in about the new Bewdley to Birmingham rail service set to start in September.
Here is what you have had to say.
‘Bewdley needs regular rail connection’
I AM responding to your article regarding a trial plan of restoring rail services between Bewdley and Kidderminster and vice versa.
I feel this is an absolute superb and commendable initiative – and one I have hoped to see for some time.
I have felt a town like Bewdley really needs a regular rail connection – linking it to both Kidderminster and Birmingham, and in turn offering connectivity to places further afield.
I feel this will offer a real benefit for people working in Birmingham, but also, I envisage – adding to the commercial and tourist life of the town, for both traders and visitors. I imagine also this will also reduce the amount of traffic in the town, and ease the very busy car parks.
As someone who commutes into Birmingham I very much welcome this initiative, and if it goes ahead, I will delight to be on the platform in September.
Lisa B
(Local to Bewdley)
‘We need a train to Worcester, not Brum’
I HAVE just seen the article about the Bewdley to Birmingham train.
I find the lack of services to Worcester quite disappointing, considering it’s very close to Bewdley and is the county town.
This is especially because of services useful to Bewdley such as shops, restaurants, employment, hospitals, and the many students who go to college and sixth form in Worcester, etc.
Worcester also provides good onward travel to nearby places such as Malvern, Cheltenham, Bristol and Hereford. And it would also allow for getting to London much easier with the direct GWR train to Paddington from Worcester, or access to cross country services at Worcestershire parkway.
I myself am from Worcester but have friends in Bewdley who would benefit from a train to Worcester as the current director bus service isn’t particularly great or regular.
I also notice many younger people from Worcester who work at the safari park, a direct train to Bewdley would mean they wouldn’t have to change at Kidderminster for a bus or navigate the busy roads by bike.
Whilst a service to Birmingham would be good and useful to Bewdley residents, I feel that on a day-to-day basis, having strong local and county connectivity could prove to be much more beneficial.
It also would keep and support local businesses and may even be more profitable than a Birmingham route.
J
Via email
‘New service will bring in more visitors’
YOUR recent article on plans for a rail connection between Bewdley and Birmingham was very encouraging to read.
As a new resident of Bewdley who regularly travels to Birmingham, I wanted to share why I believe this proposal deserves widespread support.
I travel to Birmingham both for work and to visit family. A direct rail connection would make a significant difference to my daily life by allowing me to rely far less on my car.
Every commuter who chooses the train over driving is one less vehicle contributing to the increasing congestion on our roads and I would certainly be one of those passengers.
Beyond the benefits for commuters, I hope the service could also encourage more visitors to travel to Bewdley by rail rather than by car.
As a historic town with narrow streets and limited road infrastructure, Bewdley already experiences significant congestion, particularly during busy periods.
Shifting more journeys onto public transport would help reduce traffic while making the town safer and more pleasant for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Of course, the success of any commuter service will depend on its reliability and timetable.
It is essential that services are timed to connect with the most popular onward trains from Kidderminster, such as the 7.08am service to Stratford-upon-Avon, which arrives at Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am. Equally important is ensuring evening return services allow commuters to get home at the end of the working day without long waits or missed connections.
Overall, I am very supportive of this proposal and sincerely hope it progresses. I will certainly be using the service if it becomes available.
My only hope is fares remain affordable and are priced to encourage regular use rather than at Severn Valley Railway tourist fare levels.
I wish everyone involved every success in bringing this proposal to fruition.
Alice Trevallion
(Bewdley resident)
EDITOR’S COMMENT
THE RESPONSE to last week’s front page story regarding the proposed rail service between Bewdley and Birmingham has been phenomenal.
As you will see from this letters page – and on social media – there is a lot of enthusiasm and support for the plan.
Also this week, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a £2 cap on bus fares – rail fares also need to be looked at.
If public transport is reliable, convenient and reasonably priced, people will use it.
WE WELCOME YOUR LETTERS
We love to hear from you about whatever issued you want discussed. Email [email protected] to send in your views.
