Virgin Trains have informed Michael Fabricant today that the Health & Safety
Executive have just approved full sized 9 car Pendolino tilting trains to
stop at Lichfield Trent Valley railway station on both the north and south
bound platforms on the West Coast Main Line. Previously only the 8 car
Pendolino trains were allowed to let passengers on and off Lichfield’s short
platforms.

Michael Fabricant says: "This is good news for Lichfield’s train commuters
as previously Virgin had to juggle round 8 and 9 car trains in their
timetables to allow a service from Lichfield Trent Valley. It will also
mean that Virgin will have no real excuse for not making an unscheduled stop
and picking up passengers from Lichfield when one of their scheduled trains
is cancelled. Nothing can be more frustrating for commuters than standing
on the platform for 90 minutes, waiting for the next scheduled service after
their own train has been cancelled, while watching other Virgin trains race
through Lichfield without stopping.

"With full size trains being allowed to stop at Lichfield, there will now be
no excuse for not providing a full size service!" Michael adds.

The Health & Safety Executive approved this change after new train driver
stop signs were erected and other instructions were implemented which allow
passengers to alight and disembark safely at Lichfield Trent Valley.