TIMETABLE changes spell hassle and inconvenience for Bromsgrove commuters travelling to Birmingham via rail, according to a disgruntled passenger.

David Woodgates is appalled that Central Trains is axing stops at Five Ways Station on the Bromsgrove to New Street line.

The 59-year-old is among around "100" daily rush hour passengers currently travelling to and from Five Ways, which provides easy access to the city's business areas in Broad Street and Hagley Road.

From the end of September, David must get off at University station or travel into New Street and get a cross-city connection back to Five Ways.

"It's possible I'll have to travel through the station I needed to get off at and change trains to get back," he said.

The Warwick Hall Gardens resident has regularly used the service from the Aston Fields train station since moving to the area 25 years ago.

"Bromsgrove is home to many commuters and the train network is attractive to people considering moving to the town.

"However, this timetable change will be a turn off because city workers will face longer journeys, more hassle and inconvenience."

But Central Trains says it must drop Five Ways from the timetable because of the expansion of services at New Street.

Time slots at each station have been shortened and a company spokeswoman said one station had to be axed to allow each train to meet strict time constraints.

She added: "We apologise for any inconvenience and if we could still stop at Five Ways we would because it makes commercial sense.

"Improvements are being made to the cross-city line so hopefully it will be easier for passengers to transfer trains." Mr Woodgates suggested alternative stops were made at the University and Five Ways stations.