MP Condemns Weekend Train Violence

7.50.05pm GMT Wed 30th Nov 2005

Solihull MP Lorely Burt has condemned the weekend train violence, which saw Christmas shoppers from Solihull, Olton and Shirley stranded on a Birmingham station for up to 1 hour.

The delay was caused when a member of public allegedly punched a train driver at Hawthorns station on Saturday afternoon.

"It is ironic that this incident occurred on the very day the Government launched a crackdown on anti-social behaviour on trains," said local MP Lorely Burt. "It is clear that the Government is not in control of the situation."

"As a result shoppers from Shirley, Olton and Solihull were stranded for up to 1 hour at Birmingham Moor Street in the freezing cold," added Mrs. Burt. "Due to construction work, there is no tanoy, no update screen and no waiting room on the southbound platform. People simply do not know what was going on for over half an hour, until temporary staff arrived with megaphones. I am therefore writing to the station manager to see what lessons can be learnt in light of this incident."