DEAR EDITOR - I read with dismay about the plans by Central Trains to introduce a 'pay and display' charge at Barnt Green station car park.

Apart from the additional parking problems that this will give rise to in the village, I am amazed that Central Trains are even considering this, at a time when both central and local government are doing all they can to encourage motorists off the road and on to public transport.

The charges proposed represent nearly a 50 per cent increase in the weekly cost of commuting to Birmingham city centre!

Central Trains should be concentrating on providing a regular and dependable service, instead of looking for ways to further fleece their customers.

The service over the last three months - in particular from Birmingham New Street to Barnt Green in the evening rush hour - has been absolutely deplorable with many trains either not running or often being over 30 minutes late.

Fifteen minutes free time for meeting passengers is a joke when the train is quite often delayed for longer than that.

Or is it proposed, by dishing out parking tickets to those waiting for passengers, to add insult to injury.

When you complain about the poor service, it is one excuse after another and no real action is taken to remedy the situation.

So, Central Trains, concentrate on what matters - service - and not finding ways to further antagonise your customers.

D A Gilburn,

39 Blackwell Road,

Barnt Green.