Sandwell's regeneration boss has hit out at plans to reduce the number of London-bound trains stopping at Sandwell and Dudley station under a new franchise.

A Department for Transport consultation to determine which company will run the Intercity West Coast Rail franchise from 2018 closes next Tuesday (2 August).

If proposals in the consultation document go ahead, the number of London-bound trains stopping at the station could be cut.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for regeneration and economic investment, Councillor Paul Moore, has strongly criticised the plans and sent a robust response to the Department for Transport.

He said: “I’m appalled at the prospect of a reduction to this service, it’s bad news for businesses and bad news for residents. In these uncertain times we need these regular trains more than ever.

"We would strongly resist any cuts to existing services between London Euston and Edinburgh/Glasgow Central which stops at Sandwell and Dudley station.

“Sandwell and Dudley is a key interchange station for residents of both Sandwell and Dudley boroughs, each with a population of around 320,000.

“The fast services it provides to London Euston, Birmingham Airport/NEC and Edinburgh/Glasgow means it’s one of the most important stations in the Black Country and arguably the West Midlands, with more than 800,000 rail passengers using the station every year.

“The consultation focuses on faster journey times which could mean fewer stops at stations like Sandwell and Dudley to reduce journey times to other destinations.

“Loosing this would clearly be very bad news for Sandwell and the wider Black Country.”

“Good rail links are a key foundation for our economic regeneration and particularly so in the Black Country which is poorly connected to the national rail network despite most of it running through our area.

"It's just a consultation at this stage which is why it's so important to show the DfT just how much support there is for retaining this level of service as responses to the consultation will determine what the government asks for in the tender.

“I would urge as many residents and businesses as possible to respond and give their views.

The consultation runs until next Tuesday, 2 August.

It will eventually result in an operator being appointed to run the franchise from 2018. The franchise is currently held by Virgin Trains.

The operator will sign an agreement with the DfT based on the results of the current consultation.

People wanting to give their views, can find the consultation questionnaire at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-intercity-west-coast-rail-franchise