To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to facilitate an increase in the number of trains travelling between Tamworth and Birmingham. (215773)

The service planned by Arriva Trains Cross Country (ATCC) to operate from 14 December 2008 complies with the Department for Transport’s specification for services on this route.

From this date, ATCC will provide a half-hourly service between Birmingham and Tamworth as part of the half-hourly Birmingham—Nottingham service, supplemented by one call every two hours in the Plymouth—Edinburgh service.