Rail passengers travelling to and from Stafford face a good chance of finding their journey delayed according to a survey published by the Liberal Democrats this week.

Councillor Barry Stamp, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Stafford Borough Council said he was disappointed the national survey of Train Operating Companies revealed that well over a quarter (27%) of Virgin Train services - the main train operator using Stafford station - were running more than five minutes late.

"An efficient rail service is important for the economic development of Stafford and the surrounding area, but since Labour came to power in 1997 delays to Virgin Trains have more than doubled. One has to admit that these figures are not the worst, and that they do represent a slight improvement on those published in 2001 when over 34% of Virgin Trains were delayed. However at this rate of improvement it will be 2007 before trains running through Stafford are reaching the punctuality standards of 1997! Quite simply that means that ten years will have been wasted. It is clear the Government is struggling when it comes to improving the railway service. For decades Stafford as benefited economically from being a major town on the national rail network, but lack of investment and the reliance on privatisation are rapidly ensuring this is no longer the case. It is important the Government tackle the crisis currently facing the railway network, before it is too late. One only has to look at how railways are developing in Europe and other parts of the world to see what can be achieved," said Councillor Stamp.