Council calls for faster trains

Arriva Cross Country took over the route in November

Operators of a Nottingham to Birmingham train service have promised to try to improve punctuality after complaints about long journey times.

Nottinghamshire County Council said it would continue to press for faster trains and more carriages on the Arriva Cross Country service.

The firm's spokesman David Ewart said recent delays had been caused by problems with flooding.

He said 90% of the Arriva Cross Country trains operated on time.

We want a standard journey time between Nottingham and Birmingham of an hour Jim Bamford, Nottinghamshire County Council

Council rail officer Jim Bamford said the two major cities in the Midlands deserved to be linked by a faster service.

"Nottingham is regional capital of the East Midlands and Birmingham is the regional capital of the West Midlands so the route joins two big, important places.

"The performance has not been good enough historically - it has been improving, but not enough," Mr Bamford said.

Mr Ewart said the firm was working to improve punctuality and service on the route.

The track is fitted for 125mph trains but the trains running on it only travel at 100mph, he said.

"We want a standard journey time between Nottingham and Birmingham of an hour."

Passengers have told BBC News about cancellations, overcrowding and delays since Christmas.

The former Central Trains service linking the two cities was taken over by Arriva Cross Country in November.