LICHFIELD RAIL PROMOTION GROUP
Minutes of Meeting Monday 7.30 pm Monday 13th April 26, Kings Head, Lichfield
ATTENDEES Richard Henshaw, Paddy Martin, David Bathurst, John Woodcock, David James, Ian Jackson, Roger Hartley, Roger Hockney, Peter King, John Adams, Matthew Bentley, Tony Thompson, Vance Wasdell, Councillor Matthew Wallens (Guest who supports Lichfield to Burton reopening invited by Richard)
APOLOGIES RECEIVED
David Dundas Geoff Lusher, Jane Arnstein
MINUTES OF 9th MARCH MEETING & AGM AND MATTERS ARISING
The minutes of the meeting were approved. All matters arising covered below.
GEOFF GRANT STAKEHOLDER MANAGER WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS
West Midlands Trains transferred into public ownership on 1st February 2026. So far, the existing management team have been left to continue day to day operation of services.
They have been set some targets by DFT. These are: –
90% of trains to arrive within 3 minutes.
Cancellations to be below 2%.
Increase revenue by 25% within 5 years.
Passenger numbers on London North Western (LNW) are 101% of pre-Covid levels. Passenger numbers on West Midlands Railway (WMR) are recovering more slowly and are currently 83% of pre-Covid levels.
New PA system speakers & amplifiers & new lighting installed at many stations.
West Midlands Railway & London North Western can now be contacted on WhatsApp.
Revenue protection staff have been doubled and this has greatly improved recovery of lost revenue to £8.5 million. Particular attention is being paid to The Chase Line, where there is significant anti-social behaviour.
The 3 busiest stations operated by WMR/LNW are Milton Keynes, Watford Junction and Wolverhampton. Lichfield Trent Valley is the 28th most used station and Lichfield City is 32nd. Both having approximately 1 million passengers per year.
Great British Railway is expected to be operating during 2027. More integration with Network Rail has already started.
As well as the investment in the new Class 730 EMU’s and Class 196 DMU’s, there has been considerable investment in Bletchley & Soho depots for the EMU’s and Tyseley for the DMU’s.
West Midlands Trains have applied to extend the Stafford to Crewe via Stoke service north to Manchester Airport and south to Birmingham New St. via Wolverhampton and the new stations at Willenhall & Darlaston. A decision on the application is expected soon and if successful the extended service would probably commence with the December 26 or May 27 timetable change.
Geoff Grant is to visit Lichfield City with the Property Manager and some members of our group in attendance. Issues to be discussed are lack of defibrillator, need to increase seating capacity inside waiting room and on platforms and possible relocation and reopening of toilets. West Midlands trains have submitted a bid to DFT for funding for station improvements. If successful, money would be allocated to stations with higher footfall. Support from Lichfield District Council for station improvements would help, especially if they made a financial contribution.
WEBSITE
John Woodcock has kindly volunteered to take over responsibility for website. So far, he has not received any response from Steve Smith, who we pay for technical support.
SHENSTONE STATION ADOPTION & FACILITIES
Nothing to report.
LICHFIELD CITY STATION ADOPTION & FACILITIES
Nothing to report.
LICHFIELD TO BURTON
Nothing to report.
LICHFIELD TO WALSALL
No upgrading of path surface yet. Nearest access to City Centre is from bypass.
HS2
John Adams suggested that in view of the disruption to Lichfield residents, they should provide a footpath / cycle way from East Lichfield to Huddlesford.
TREASURERS REPORT
24 members have now paid 2026 subscriptions. £1,742.90 in bank