MEP discusses new local service with Severn Valley Railway boss.

5.21.00pm GMT Mon 10th Nov 2008

Libdem MEP Liz Lynne and local Parliamentary Spokesman Neville Farmer have met Nick Ralls, the General Manager of the Severn Valley Railway, to discuss ways in which rail can ease the massive congestion in the Kidderminster area.

They met at Kidderminster Town Station on Friday November 7th and discussed alternative plans for a new shoppers and commuter train service from Kidderminster to Bewdley, with a new station at Foley Park to serve the south side of Kidderminster and the future redevelopment of the British Sugar refinery site.

Part of the regeneration ideas for Kidderminster drawn up by the local LibDems include a shuttle passenger service on the line to help offset the even greater congestion which new houses or factories on the refinery site would cause. One contender to run the service would be the low energy Parry People Mover railcar, while the SVR is also looking at running a local service 'in house' with it's preserved diesel trains. The nearby Stourbridge Town branch is to be the first line in Britain to switch to permanent Parry People Mover operation in December. Earlier on Friday, Liz Lynne MEP and Neville Farmer tried out the prototype Parry railcar currently stabled at Stourbridge Junction.

Speaking after the meeting, Liz said: "Traffic congestion is getting worse and worse. Stourport Road is officially the most congested piece of road in Worcestershire already, even before the refinery site is developed.

"Whereas many European cities were rebuilt around public transport, with trams or light rail links, many UK towns and cities were built with the car in mind. The Kidderminster Ring Road and main feeder routes in and out of the town are now virtually gridlocked for much of the day.

"Whichever way the refinery site is developed, and it should be as a piece of prime brownfield land, there will be extra journeys to get in and out. Low energy light rail such as the unique Parry trains - developed in Cradley Heath - may be the way to solve this, with quick, cheap and very green services that do not need massive infrastructure costs.

"I would very much hope that the potential project between Kidderminster and Bewdley could become a model for other towns right around not only the UK but the rest of Europe. I think we should be seizing the opportunity to make the West Midlands a frontrunner in new public transport ideas."

Neville Farmer, Wyre Forest LibDem Parliamentary Spokesman, said: "A Kidderminster to Bewdley link would be one solution to the appalling congestion problems we find in this area. I hope that the potential link could make life far easier for commuters and shoppers especially considering the traffic created by the sugar refinery site redevelopment . The new priority for green solutions, the new success of the Parry People Mover getting onto the national rail network and the ever growing jams have transformed the viability of this project."

Nick Ralls said: "The Severn Valley Railway is aware of the potential for a local rail service from Kidderminster to Bewdley and beyond to supplement our steam and heritage diesel operations. There are various ways such a service could be provided and funded and we are interested in looking at all options. Rail is not only far greener but can also be quicker and more comfortable than sitting in Kidderminster's endless tailbacks."

*Liz also congratulated Nick and the SVR team on a successful re-opening season after the floods caused an eight month closure. The MEP is continuing to lobby for the railway to receive a share of the European Solidarity Fund payout to Britain of £33 million which she campaigned for to help meet the cost of flood repairs.

She added: "I am pressing Ministers for a breakdown on exactly where this money has been or will be spent. It was supposed to be used on the cost of repairs. The SVR's plight was at my request put explicitly in the UK's bid for this money so you would expect the SVR to receive additional help from it."

ENDS