AN MP has called for more carriages on trains used by many Severnsiders to get to work in Bristol.

Newport East Labour MP Jessica Morden has asked Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to “immediately” press operator Great Western Railway to increase the number of carriages between Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol.

Writing on behalf of ‘despairing constituents,’ she also asked why the company that will take over the Wales and Border franchise from Arriva Trains Wales will not be able to bid for new services to the West Country city.

Latest figures from the Office of Rail and Road show that the number of passengers using Lydney, Chepstow, Caldicot and Severn Tunnel stations has increased over the last year.

The question of the new operator for the Wales and Border franchise has also been raised by Forest of Dean councillors who want the Welsh Government to recognise how important Wales-based services are for the district.

Ms Morden said research by campaigners the Severn Tunnel Action Group had shown 61 per cent of the 253,918 entries and exits at the station in 2015-16, were by Bristol passengers.

The ORR figures also show there were 40,300 ‘interchanges’ at the station, most of which were likely to be passengers from Lydney, Chepstow and Caldicot changing trains for Bristol.

In her letter to Mr Grayling, Ms Morden said: “In their research on the 7.54am GWR service from Severn Tunnel Junction to Bristol Temple Meads, on 10 out of 20 commuting days in October 2017, there was only standing room for boarding passengers, and only three or four carriages instead of five.

“I have heard accounts from constituents who due to disabilities and mental health problems avoid the busiest services and yet still have to stand and lean against the train doors.”

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Forest Council, Cllr Alan Preest (Con, Lydney North) said he hoped the new operator, who is due to take over next year, will improve services to Bristol from Severn Tunnel “which will benefit the Forest.”

He said: “We have got to keep up the pressure. It is amazing how many people use the services.

“We should urge the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales how vital that connection is to us in the Forest of Dean to access jobs, schooling and the national rail network.”