Rail enthusiasts are being given the chance to pose questions about plans for the future of train services to industry representatives.

A public meeting, hosted by the Stourbridge Line User Group, will take place from 7.30pm on Tuesday (May 9) at Kidderminster’s Severn Valley Railway station’s King & Castle bar and restaurant.

The rail user group, which promotes and protects train services along the Worcester-Kidderminster-Stourbridge-Birmingham line, is inviting members of the public to hear from representatives of West Midlands Rail, London Midland and Chiltern Railways. William Whiting, acting chairman of the group, said:

“This year’s event comes at an exciting time for the local rail service. The new West Midlands rail franchise will be announced a month or two after the meeting, and we will hear from West Midlands Rail, which, from later this year, will be leading the management of local rail services in the whole region including our line, and is drawing up the regional rail strategy.

“For the line’s rail users from Dudley, Sandwell and Birmingham it comes right after the Mayoral election, and Transport for the West Midlands – the new Mayor’s transport agency – will be there to talk about their way forward.

“We have planned for London Midland and Chiltern Railways to talk about their operations over the last year and forthcoming developments, and Worcestershire County Council to indicate the future of projects like the new main line Kidderminster station.”

For more information about the Stourbridge Line User Group, or to contact the group, visit stourbridgelineusergroup.info.