THE chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group says he hopes the news the average age of trains has reached more than 20 years old will only be a temporary issue, as there is a firm commitment for a new fleet.

Figures have been released from the Office of Rail and Road that show the average age of trains used by Worcestershire railway commuters is now 22.6 years - the highest since the current records began in 2000.

The national Campaign for Better Transport group says thousands of passengers are travelling on trains "simply not fit for purpose" and is calling for the government to come up with a national plan to replace outdated rolling stock.

The calls have been echoed by another national campaign group Rail Future, which says a long term steady investment is needed as there is a desperate shortage of rail stock across the network. 

But John Ellis, the Cotswold Line Promotion Group chairman, says he believes it is only a "temporary phenomenon" locally, as the government's Intercity Express Programme is committed to a significant improvement in rolling stock quality.

New Super Express Trains are set to be rolled out as part of the programme meaning faster travel, improved customer comfort and the addition of three million extra seats being available by the end of December 2018. 

The trains are to be introduced on the North Cotswolds route from Hereford, Worcester, through to London, from summer 2017 onwards.

Mr Ellis said: "If these are figures are the case, it is only temporary.

"Great Western Railway has made a firm commitment to replacing stock, which they will deliver by 2018.

"I agree with campaigners saying what is urgently needed is additional stock to help meet the ever increasing demand.

"The growth of the use of the railways continued throughout the recession, and we are seeing more users coming in and increasing the demand."

From December 2018, a change in timetables will go ahead to make use of the super trains, meaning there will be inter-city services to and from routes to Worcester on the hour.

Journey times from Worcester to London will also be reduced by seven minutes, with the fastest journey to the capital expected to take just two hours.

A spokesman for GWR hit back at the figures, saying the age of trains had little relevance as the issue was the condition of current stock - which is frequently refurbished and renewed.

The spokesman said: "Don't get me wrong, those trains are coming to the end of their life - but that is why the fleet is being replaced as part of the greatest investment since Brunel.

"I'm not sure where Campaign for Better Transport is coming from on this.

"The new duel-mode trains will slash the average age of our trains, as well as increase capacity and reduce journey times."