NETWORK Rail is due to start work next month on lengthening the platform at Pershore ahead of new trains servicing the Cotswold Line.

And West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local rail users to plan ahead to avoid cancelled and delayed trains at stations including Pershore.

Replacement bus services will be in place between Moreton in Marsh and Worcester from November 17 until November 25 and some services will not stop at Pershore.

This will have a major impact on local rail users but the engineering work is essential to allow for new, longer trains to stop at Pershore station.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I recently met with GWR and they briefed me on the plans to extend platforms at stations including Pershore.

"This is being done in advance of adding better, longer trains to the Cotswold Line.

“There will be quite a lot of disruption for travellers so I am helping to spread the word so that people who are travelling to and from London that week can make alternative plans.

“Its good news that Network Rail is investing money improving Pershore’s train station and I have a meeting with them shortly to work out how we can deliver the much-needed improvements to the car park.”

Rail users can find out more information on the engineering works by visiting https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering/cotswolds2018