A NEW high-speed train service direct from Worle to London has been dubbed not up to scratch by Weston s MP one month after it launched.

A NEW high-speed train service direct from Worle to London has been dubbed' not up to scratch' by Weston's MP one month after it launched.

John Penrose visited Worle Parkway to catch one of the first trains direct to the capital's Paddington Station, which arrived 15minutes late, in December.

The new timetable was introduced on December 9 after Mr Penrose joined a campaign initially led by North Somerset Council for better rail links for Weston.

However, last week he met with bosses at First Great Western, which operates the service, to demand why it had failed to deliver.

Mr Penrose said: "The new rail timetable was supposed to be the answer to Weston's prayers but unfortunately the rail company has dropped the ball.

"Residents using the service are suffering too many delays and reliability isn't up to scratch."

First Great Western regional manager Andy Robinson said: "The problems we have had with reliability are easing and the position will improve over the next few months as more of the fleet are refurbished and we get back to full strength staffing.