TRANSPORT company First takes over the running of trains from the Malvern area to London next Thursday (April 1).

The company was due to sign the franchise agreement as the Malvern Gazette went to press but local passengers will not see timetable changes or faster trains on the line until December.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer said he was concerned about First's proposed changes.

Its plans include one less through service per day than the previous franchisee, Thames Trains, and more services between Oxford and London, which would mean many local passengers would have to change at Oxford to get to the capital.

"My own view is we need more regular through trains because the demand is there," said Sir Michael.

"One of the problems is that some of these trains are getting extremely crowded, so it would be better if there were more."

Sir Michael said he welcomed the introduction of the faster Adelante trains on the route but did not approve of plans to make the morning commuter service leave ten minutes earlier, as the extra time made a difference to people in the morning.

When he raised the issue of local rail transport in a parliamentary debate earlier this month, the duelling of track between London and Hereford to prevent delays caused by hold ups on sections of single track was Sir Michael's primary concern.

"I'm going to continue to press for duelling and also for better services," he said.

The December timetable changes will only take place if the national timetable conference gives approval at its summer meeting.

Elaine Wilde, spokesman for First, said passengers would notice customer service benefits, like cleaner trains, from Thursday.

She also said the franchise would have a new name and would not be known as First Great Western, although the two operations would work closely together.