Sarah
I get (or attempt to get) the 17:41 from Telford to Wolverhampton a couple of times a week. I have never seen it on time! Excuses have varied from animals on the line to vandals on the track, I think they pick one a day..Only consolation is that my connecting train at Wolverhampton is usually late too
Roger.
I have just been reading the comments from rail users,and have come to the conclusion that we all agree the train system is diabolical.Do you think the rail companies take any notice what their customers say,do they heck,they make millions of pounds for themselves and their shareholders as it is,so why should they change.I do agree that they should not be subsidised by the Government,our money!when they make so much profit from such a poor service.More people are using the trains now that during the post war period,because our roads are so congested with motor vehicles,so until we have a radical change of the complete rail system,Nationalisation perhaps? I cannot see it getting any better.My own personal experience of using the trains in Shropshire/West Midlands,is that the staff attitude to customers from Arriva, especially in Shrewsbury is much worse than Central staff,who I find more helpful.
JOHN M.
Regarding the adverse comments about Arriva trains, the worse news is that they have won the cross country franchise from Virgin & will be taking over the operation of Virgin cross country services shortly.Makes one wonder what criteria is used to award these franchises !!
katrina jade hardiman
how far is it to go to london
Rob Owens
Whilst there are obviously problems, and sometimes big problems, a lot of the people here fall into the usual trap of saying that the train is 'always' late or 'always' terminated at Wolverhampton and this is patently not the case and thus diminishes their argument. It is the typical way of complaining to exagerate and it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.As I have said, I agree there are problems, and on some trains more than others, but ultimately the train operating companies run to a franchise with performance targets, if the system allows them to use other figures to dilute the poorer figures elsewhere then they are simply using the system to the best advantage in a competitive world.Perhaps some of those who can drive should try driving onto the M6 at 0800 in the morning for a few weeks and compare their experiences? That would be interesting.It would be interesting to see someone post details of their experiences over a period of time, with figures. We tend to remember the worst experience and not necessarily the best.Just to get this in context, how about someone keeping a log of timekeeping on their commute over a month. Although no doubt the trains will mostly be packed (the train companies would say this is a measure of their success!) I would imagine the reliability and timekeeping would prove that not 'all' are late and that the above is not a typical daily experience. And yes I am a regular user of these services at peak times, but not daily.
Steve Wyles
Sorry, not Shropshire but the journey described is typical of my commute to Derby every day on Central Trains. I now go by car!
Rebecca Wragg Sykes
I have used the Telford-Birmingham connection for the past 7 years to get to work in various cities in the uk, twice a week. It has always been appalling. There was a period about 4 years ago when some improvement on lateness was made, but now I can only add my voice echoing what has been said about late, packed trains in the morning from Telford (with no announcements on the late trains), the despicable use of cancellations at wolverhampton to avoid fines (told to me by train staff), and the joke of trying to get home again from Birmingham, any time between 16:00 and 19:00. I would say to everyone CLAIM MONEY BACK using the comments forms, I only found out last year the rule that if you are more than 30 minutes late for your whole journey and it is the train companies fault, you have a right to 50% of the ticket cost back. I have made the most of this, but £9 barely makes up for the pathetic scanning of screens at Birmingham to find out IF there is a train, and then a desperate race to the platform to try and squeeze on. It's disgusting, and I am sick of hearing about poor Londoners with their trains: try commuting from Shropshire to Birmingham!
richard powell
The names of arriva wales senior managers are all on their web site.I suggest curteous emails to them every time you are disatisfied. I los suggest passing this idea on to every one on the train and asking them to respectfully address their own concerns in the same fashion.
David Shaw
I used to take the train everyday from Gobowen to Telford. Whilst the train ran perfectly in the morning (except maybe twice in 12 months - acceptable though), getting home was a nightmare.I would catch the 17:04 from Telford, probably 3 or 4 times out of 5 this train would be about 15-20 minutes late making a few of us miss our connection to Oswestry (Gobowen).This would result in over an hours delay in Shrewsbury, assuming the next train was on time.Tally this up and its nearly a day off your life every month, something I'm not prepared to loose to be honest.3 of us now share lifts to work to keep our costs down and avoid the inconvenience of dealing with the incompetence of Arriva.The worst week was when I had to be somewhere, either a friends, dentists etc after work and my girlfriend had to pick me up in Shrewsbury. I had paid £35 for a weekly pass.When I contacted Arriva they said all the trains were within their time limits and basically implied I was lying.They are an absolute disgrace!
Fleur Corfield
At least you get the chance to work via the trains to get to either places I work (Stafford / Stoke) I have to go via either Wolverhampton or Crewe, adding a large amount of travelling time based on the distance involved. However I totally understand your frustration, the Virgin train connections at both these places is second to none compared to Ariva which are dirty, over croweded, with the toilets rarely working, and are often cancelled or delayed
Nicola
I commute from Shrewsbury to London Euston alteast once a week. I have totally given up trying to get the train from Shrewsbury as it is always late or cancelled, I now resort to driving to Wolverhampton and catching the Virgin Train service direct into Euston, only a couple of times have I been delayed and of those times I have been given a drink free of charge admittedly with some complaining.
Alex Fenlon - Aged 16
How can you complain about trains?? At least their clean and tidy! The Arriva Trains Wales service that I catch regularly to North Wales runs perfectly to the second. As of regards to Electrification, That would do no good at all becayse electric trains tend to be less reliable. Also, the "freight trains" Are actually delivering 14 trains of coal a day - each weighing 1000 tonnes going to Buildwas Power Station. buildwas can power a city the size of Wolverhampton 24/7. I understand it can be hard commuting, I've had a few problems in the past - but generally I find the service extrememly good.
Robyn Jones
I commute to Birmingham 4 times a week from Wellington to attend Birmingham University in Edgbaston. I can’t name specific examples of disrupted journeys or cancellations because it happens every single day. The lack of consideration and communication between the railway companies and their customers is probably their biggest downfall. I think if more carriages were sent on busy journeys people wouldn’t mind waiting during disruptions whilst seated but it’s not fun stood waiting when your cramped up next to the smelly toilet or baggage area especially when you suffer with back problems! Relocating to Birmingham simply isn’t an option for me due to certain circumstances, so like many we simply have to put up with it! Apprehending such usual disruption I had to leave 3 hours before my intended arrival time for exams and one day managed to make it with 4 minutes to spare!! There is no doubt that the poor running of this service has affected my degree and part time jobs so I sympathize completely with all those that have to make this journey as well.
Bill Graham
A couuple of points in answer to some of the other comments.Len Marlow suggests bi-directional signalling - this is used most notably on the East Coast Main Line from North Yorkshire through to Edinburgh but doesn't stop the line being closed for anything other than minor maintenance for obvious safety reasons. Most of the recent closures have been for major works on the line or for work between the Oxley depot and Birmingham.Phil - quite right about the freight depot; this will mean a lot of shunting at Wellington if the trains are running to and from Wolverhampton which will be a very slow operation as it is all controlled from Madeley Junction. Or will this all happen at night with consequent noise nuisance? And why didn't British Sugar, instead of putting the local sugar beet farmers out of business build a beet loading facility at Donnington so the beet could be rail hauled, 500 tons at a time, over to East Anglia?One possible solution is 'infill electrification', as recommended by Transport 2000 for the Walsall to Rugeley line and others around the area. This faces two problems though - low bridges which would need to be replaced and the probable need to demolish parts of Shrewsbury station to get the masts in. Oakengates tunnel is probably OK or it would be impossible - however this enhancement would enable a semi-fast service from either Northampton or Rugby to Shrewsbury with newer trains, lower running costs and less risk of train failure. And, of course, would enable through services to London!Time for Shropshire County Council and Telford to get some pressure on.......
Bill Graham
i used to commute from Wellington to Birmingham International and the service was bad then - now it appears even worse!The saddest thing is that Transport 2000 have just done an in-depth study on the West Midlands train services. they appraised what could and should be done for Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire........... but not Shropshire! Why?can we hope that the new integrated West midlands/Cross Country franchise will address the problems? Who should have their door knocked on? the whole line from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury has been upgraded and re-signalled to give better capacity and higher speeds - but is this to be exploited or just ignored and the money wasted?
Len Marlow
Most of these complaints are about week day travellers, the weekends are much much worse, usually its a bus and no one ever knows what is going on.
The fundamental problem seems to be the signalling only works one way so its not possible to have up trains on the down line. This would seem to be a pretty minimum requirement now and would mean trains could "overtake" goods trains and the line would NEVER need to be closed completely.
I have always thought that fines on companies won't work unless they reflect on senior staffs salary. A £1 offthe chief exec'ssalary for every late train, £5 for a cancelled train and £50 for the last train being cancelled would focus minds.
Also it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask Arriva when will they be running trains on time, give us a date when they will have got their act together and we can all plan for that day.
Lucy Weston
I regularly travel from Shrewsbury to Birmingham (at least once a week) and more often than not the Arriva Trains Wales service from Chester arrives late and already jam packed. The train conductors proceed to squeeze passengers into every nook and cranny in the carriage until it is uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Over the Christmas period I was forced to sit practically in a bin which caused my clothing to become filthy. And now the fares have risen yet again, I wouldn't mind paying the extra money if there was actually any improvements, but year after year we just seem to be paying even more money for a service that is just getting worse and worse.
SWV Coppinger
I came across this the other day. I have just resigned from a regional training committee because I cannot reliably attend the meetings by train. The Arriva service seems to be in terminal decline. I understand (from staff) that Arriva is hiding their appalling performance statistics for the Shrewsbury/Telford service by diluting them with other services. I would heartily agree with the comments above and find it simultaneously ludicrous and infuriating that rail transport remains a poor cousin with an energy crisis and global warming looming.
Pat
I have been commuting from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury daily for some 25 years.
The service has never been as bad as it is now. Trains are late or cancelled and are filthy dirty as well.
On Shrewsbury Station in the evening the 1744 to Cardiff is late every evening because the timing on the run is faulty and the train cannot arrive at the correct time. When it is late it is announced in increments of ten minutes. At 1744 you will be told it is ten minutes late. Then when that has elapsed - again it is ten minutes later. I have had delays of up to an hour dribbled out in this way.
Many of the trains are dangerous with broken plastic seat supports and broken springs - apart from the ingrained filth. Yuck.
The trains are always late in the morning (7.20, 8.38, 9.38 variously) and when I take the single carriage 0806 (with students, school children and commuters on) it can be cancelled or re-timed without warning.
Alex Broad
I have had first hand experience of this too, between Wellington and New Street. Train being very late and then being canceled at Wolverhampton. Always packed & rarely get a seat. Very uncertain & unreliable mode of transport.
Neal
Arriva excelled themselves this morning. 20 minutes late at Gobowen. The Good food show at the NEC and still the usual 2 coaches. Hardly anyone at Shrewsbury got a seat and by the time we reached Telford people could not get on as train was packed solid. We crawled onto Wolverhampton, by which time we were so behind that Arriva played their usual trick and cancelled the train. Complete and utter shambles.
mr T Cadman
I can honestly say that in all the travelling through europe i have done in recent times,never have i met with somany delays as i have on the wolverhampton to shrewsbury train services please do something about these delays.
Joe L
I use the train sometimes to travel from Albrighton to work in Shrewsbury. At least 50% of the time in the last year, there have been problems, although usually on the evening run home. It's not helped by disagreements between the published timetable and the one that the trains are actually run to, which have three times led to me missing a train by a few minutes. So I drive to work every day that it's possible, or occasionally cycle in (52 miles round trip) to assuage my guilt/anger at not being able to use the train.
mike southern
getting to london, same day return from shrewsbury both very expensive and limited choice of trains. Retired train traveller.
SAJID ANWAR
I have been using the train service, traveling from Birmingham to Telford and vice versa for past five years. As others have suggested the reason to use such service is as I do not drive this is the only way to get to work. It seems that these probelms with trains are getting worse everyday. I always catch 7:17 am service from Bham - telford which is always on time and gets to telford fine. The 7:51 service from Bham - Telford is mostly always late. The return journeys are quite the opposite. The trains are always late with one cancellation to another. Its really frustraing. Arriva trains policy is: if a train is more than 30 mins late then you may only get compensation if you get through the correct call centre to complain to. I am a season ticket holder and recently in the summer months was delayed at station for upto 3 hours in the end i had no way of getting home and luckly got a member of staff to hitch a lift back with. I recently recieved £40 in vouchers for arriva mistakes. I could go on and on and have no more patience with this service. Please someone report this to watchdog and make a documentry showing these people what travellers are facing. Old trains, no info at trains stations people loosing there cool very unprofessional staff. No contigency plans when a service is cancelled. A truly bad service but no choice. Please keep complaining and keep users informed. Love all the comments.
ben and heather
we want to go to church stretton from birmingham but are a bit confused
Dave
I have often arrived in Birmingham from London to find that the train to Shrewsbury and Aberystwth is going to start from Wolverhmpton. First problem is that Virgin trains do not tell you this - do they talk to each other?- obviously not. Second if the service is advertised as starting from Bhm are Arriva trains in breach of "sale of goods" legistlation? I guess the answer is that these rail companies have all the leeway to do what they like except to provide a public service.
Karen
Why is Arriva Trains Wales allowed to advertise on the timetable that it runs a 18.33 train from Birmingham to Aberystwyth each day? Anyone who tries to get it regularly knows that it is cancelled or "starts from Wolverhampton" every day. I find it incredible that this is allowed to continue.
I get a train from Telford to Birmingham most days, and whilst the mornings are not too bad, the evenings are impossible.
Bob Bayman
My main base is London, so don't use trains in Shropshire very often. A few weeks ago though I had to travel from Ludlow to London in the morning: the Arriva train was late and missed the London connection at Hereford, causing us all go go via Newport instead (where the train to London was also running late). The following week we went from Ludlow to Birmingham for the day - the forward journey was bad enough (the train from Shrewsbury to Birmingham was 10 minutes late, but the following stopping Central service was cancelled). The return journey was just like the experiences above - Shrewsbury train cancelled from Birminham, rush to get to Wolverhampton on a train which the got stuck near Sandwell (no explanation from the driver as to why), and then no information at Wolverhampton on where to find the Shrewsbury train, adding to the rush and anxiety.
I thought we were just unlucky, but clearly not.
The train operating companies are indeed interested only in the bottom line, but because of the stupidity of short-term franchises there is no incentive for them to do anything else - that is the root of the problem.
Nina Smirnoff
NAd to rub salt in the wounds, we are facing schemes such as highly inflated road tax and taxation by the mike in the not too distant future, apparently in an effort to get us out of our polluting cars and onto public transport. All very fine and well, I agree that something has to be done about the environment we live in, it's going to pot; but for heavens sake, give us a VIABLE alternative!
Steve
As a former resident of Shrewsbury I used to use the train every weekend to get to Manchester or Bimingham, in order to get to Leeds where I now live.
Although it's the same company, Arriva seem to be able to keep a great train service up here, but I do find the service still terrible when I go back to Shrewsbury. And if your traveling on a Sunday out of Shrewsbury, you can forget the train...there is seemingly none, unless you fancy a two and a half hour journey to Birmingham (includig a bus to Wolverhampton), or a four and three quater hour trip to Manchester, comprising of, a two hour bus journey just to get Crewe station, get a train from there to Warrington Bank Quay THEN WALK FROM THERE TO Warrington Central, just to get the train back up to Leeds! Ok if you know Warrington I guess?
andy fenner
arriva disgaceful last 14 times i have travelled not one train on time.
Sally LEWIS
I tried to use the train to get to Wolverhampton and in the end changed job! The service by Arriva was diabolical with trains often cancelled and when not cancelled they were filthy and overcrowded. Why is it OK for people to stand on trains when it's not allowed on buses?? I'd like to use the trains but just don't trust them any more
Dilip Jani
yes,I travelled by this stupid train once & it was enough-even indian railway is better han this--Please reform it
Paul
Along with several fellow commuters from Shifnal to Wolverhampton, I abandoned the train service several years ago.We now catch a reliable and friendly bus service for the same journey. The name of the bus company ? Arriva. Are they by chance related.?..I think we should be told.... How can a bus service with so many external factors beyond the company's control be so much more reliable than the appalling train service?
Ben Bailey.
As a Brit, that now lives in the USA for the past thirty years. With my past expereince with British railrays, always late, never on time. I find that Amtrak hear in the USA is better with the service. Larger trains, plenty of room.
Glyn Price
I have been a regular commuter on the Shrewsbury to Birmingham Line for almost three years and there has been no doubt in my mind it’s getting worse. Its pretty much commen practice in any weather extreme (Hot, Cold Storms, Wind) to have to have a good hours worth of Delay, but recently since this Christmas the amount of trains cancelling there journey at Wolverhampton has become a joke.
The time table is for a rough hour Journey, but it feels longer, as mentioned by another contributor, the AM peak trains are ok if you get on in Shrewsbury as you always get a seat, but by Telford there is no room and in Wolverhampton its free for all. The service should be 3-4 carriages at all time s of the commuting peak, but it regularly only ruins with 2 carriages, and over the summer heat I have seen conditions become dangerous to commuters.
I would seriously consider giving the train up and driving but its costly and probably just as time consuming. I’m 25 and I don’t think I could stick another 10 years of the train.
I hate Birmingham New Street, its raipidly become my least favourite place on earth, it seems that Virgin cross country trains get preferential treatment when there I delays while smaller commuter services are left to wait longer to leave the station.
John Evans
I use a train from Telford to Birmingham every weekday. I often find that it takes around an hour each way longer than the timetable advises and the train is often full.
It is very tempting to opt to take my car however like a fool I take the train.
If the government want us to use more public transport then they have to get matters improved. I leave the office at around 16:00 and often I am not back in Telford before 18:00 the advertised journey time is around 40 mins.
No wonder people would rather use thei cars!
Maggie Connell
A friend of ours came up to Church Stretton from London via Newport on the Mid Wales line on 3rd July and was due to arrive at about 7.30pm for an important meeting. He finally arrived at about 10pm after a catalogue of delays. Needless to say, he missed the meeting. He had decided to take that route, because at short notice, the Virgin route via Birmingham would have cost around £100.
John C
I've travelled daily from Wellington/Telford to Birmingham for the best part of fifteen years. The journey to Bham is usually ok, assuming you get on but the return journey has always been a bit of a nightmare. What has got worse - much worse - recently has been the number of "Cancelled - Starts at Wolverhampton" messages on the board at New St. This phenomena seems to have steadily grown worse since Arriva Trains Wales became involved. They're really not interested whether you do get home or not and the staff on New Street (and Wolverhampton to a lesser extent) stations will say anything to get rid of you. Mind, I think more often than not they are kept in the dark.
The trains were late in BR days too, it's just that cancellations were rare, I didn't feel I was just being fobbed-off by platform staff and BR received less subsidy than today's regime does.
Syd
I was told by an Arriva Guard on a late running Aberystwyth that I had not paid for a seat I had paid for a journey.
Emma Green
Hervé Carpentier has got the measure of the service in operation between Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and here we are again a little bit of hot weather and the trains are at a stand still, many are delayed or cancelled, all are overcrowded, hot and very uncomfortable. Yesterday I even witnessed a distressed pregnant woman disembark the morning service after only one stop, due to the heat overcrowding, lack of seats or compassion of fellow passenger who have been ground down by the constant lack of good service.
Central Trains and Arrive Trains Wales need to get their act together and realise that they operate a system to serve and not hinder there paing passengers.
Brian
My wife and her sisters went to birmingham last year on a shopping trip from telford on arriva trains and it is the only time in years that she has taken the train and it broke down for 2 hours, no apologies for the delay, she then remembered why she gave up with them, they are a shambles.
Leo
I travel regularly between Bristol and London and the train service is pretty awesome. Also when at University I went up from Bristol to Sheffield and the train was pretty comfortable and nearly always on schedule. So not all train services in the UK are bad.
Chris
I had exactly the same journey as you the other week. The incompetence is beggars belief. Central and Arriva trains don't give a damn about their customers, they're only interested in making money!
nathaniel
i am fed up of goin to aston villa games because of the centrel trains always cancelled it is irrataing
Phil
I have travelled every week day from Telford to Birmingham for the past 5 years and the Train service is getting worse
I normally travel on the 7.32 in a morning and this train ( run by Arriva) is overcrowded ,hot and not very clean.If it is late by more than 15 minutes it terminates at Wolverhampton and leaves the customers stranded to find their own way to Birmingham.This happens on a regular basis and has been reported to Arriva trains on a numerous occasions
On the way back from Birmingham I catch the 16:57
This train comes from Stanstead Airport and is always full of litter and debris
Many times there are 2 coaches and if the 16:33 Arriva train has been cancelled it is horrendous
being overcrowded and hot
Most of the trains out of Birmingham stop at Coseley
This has created further problems with overcrowding,no one seems to know why all these trains stop there
The system needs more clean coaches to cope with the ever expanding commuters destined in and out of Telford
PS what happens to the Line when the Freight Depot opens ??
Ken Milne
I commute every weekday from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton and can endorse many of Herve's comments about the lack of accountability for the actions of both Central and Arriva trains. The 07:12 Arriva train from Shrewsbury to Birmingham always turns up with only two coaches yet stops at every station on its way to Birmingham. By the time I arrive at Wolverhampton the train is so overcrowded that I and other passengers have difficulty getting off. Which Arriva manager thought that two carriages would be sufficient when stopping to pick up at every station? Probably the same one who has moved to Central trains and regularly puts on a two carriage train from Birmingham at the peak time (17:15) for commuters waiting to board at Wolverhampton. Add to this the regular 'trick' of Arriva trains to cancel the Aberystwyth train from Birmingham, throwing even more passengers onto the overcrowded train calling at Wolverhampton on its way to Shrewsbury.
Airlines have to satisfy stringent evacuation timings to get passengers out of a plane in an emergency - what similar safety regulations govern rail travel in this country?
Jack Suton
Last used train 21 yrs. ago
Gobowen/Euston return, didnt
get home till apast midnight
stuff it, never again! Had to
be on last return by 6-30pm
Don't reckon any better now
Stephen Green
My wife and I used to travel from Wellington to Birmingham for work using the train, however, the delays, constant cancellations, overpacked carriages (the 17:33 from Birmingham to Chester is only two carriages, and is always rammed - when it's there), broken facilities, poorly cleaned, inoperable windows, air conditioning that doesn't work, out dated trains (some of which are at least 20-30 years old) and prohibitive costs meant that we had to travel by car to Birmingham. Two monthly tickets to Birmingham costs in excess of £250, and to travel by car costs £150, so the roads are packed but I can travel in comfort and it costs less than public transport which is meant to be cheaper.
If the government is serious about getting cars off of the road, it needs to improve the service provided by railway companies, ensure that profits are reinvested and that prices are competitive. Extra carriages and punctual trains would be a start.
At the moment public transport in Lebanon is better than Shropshire!
Craig Bailey
I have the misfortune to quite often use the Telford - Birmingham line. Arriva Trains Wales are a disgrace. Their trains are often very late or cancelled. When they do turn up I usually have to stand for the privilage.
Stephanie
I use the train to travel to college in Birmingham from Shrewsbury. I can usually get a seat from Shrewsbury, but the return journey is a different matter. My friend is 6 months pregnant, but has never been offered a seat and has had to stand when the train is full.
Cancelling trains at Wolverhampton may help the train companies, but it's of little benefit to the passengers. Some more coaches would also help the passengers and give them a fighting chance of getting a seat.
Neal
I regularly travel from Gobowen to Birmingham and find the service depressingly bad. The journey in the morning is not too bad. Getting on at Gobowen I can normally get a seat but for people joining at Shrewsbury it is a lottery and for the masses waiting at Wellington and Telford, standing in the isle is the best they can hope for. This situation is repeated day after day, why can the train company not put on more carriages. People have paid for seat!!.
The journey home is often a nightmare. I get to New Street station and stare, more in hope than expectancy, at the information screens. Travelling to Gobowen I need the train to Chester, which is generally the 6.33 or 7.33. Time and again, the screens reveal the same thing, CANCELLED. No explanation, no mention of how I am to get home. On occasions, it advises the train will be leaving from Wolverhampton and then it is a mad scramble to get to Wolverhampton in an attempt to get the connection.
The journey should take in the region of 1 hr 20 each way and the train should represent a chance to relax on your journey home from work. In reality, it often turns into an expedition and you arrive home tired, stressed out and often 2 hrs later than you had hoped.
The train should represent an efficient and cost effective method of travel but using it more than 2 days a week is more than I can put up with. It is hard to believe that the M6 with its grinding congestion and roadworks can seem a attractive alternative but a few days on the Gobowen to Birmingham train will convince of you of the pleasures of the motorway.
Mike g
I bet the railways in africa were a lot better value for money too!
Peter Cartledge
I abandoned trains years ago. Over six hours to get to Stafford from London one day; I said 'never again'. Give me a comfortable car any day.
