College raises concern over rail disruption

Upcoming rail closures will disrupt students' education, a Hereford college has warned.

Hereford Sixth Form College raised concerns ahead of the closure of the line between Worcester and Hereford from Sunday until Friday 31 January.

Phil Tranter, the college's director of studies, said the route had been "plagued with problems" and a reliable train service was needed for students to "access their education".

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "There's never a good time to close the railway, but this essential track work will help make journeys more reliable in future".

They added that the six-day closure was the most cost-effective way to carry out the work as the alternative option would take place over many weekends and affect more people.

Mr Tranter said he understood the need for essential maintenance and improvements, but was "really disappointed" at the timing of the repairs.

"These works should have been placed at an alternative period", he said.

"Although a rail replacement service will be in place to allow students to still attend college it will significantly add to the length of their commute each day."

He added that rail problems had been "ongoing for some time now".

West Midlands Railway said the line closure would also impact Great Western Railway services.

It added that buses would run instead of the trains between Worcester and Hereford for the duration of the closure.

Network Rail said it would "keep passengers moving during the work" but encouraged people to check before they travel.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.