THERE may be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for long-suffering passengers on rail services between Worcestershire and London.

Train operator First Great Western (FGW) has announced a £29m investment in a bid to improve its poor performance across its network, which includes the Cotswold Line.

But a voluntary group which aims to promote rail travel in the county is cautious about the announcement and is waiting to see if the proposed measures will translate into more reliable services and better customer information.

The investment follows discussions with the Department for Transport, which has described the company's performance as "unacceptable" and has threatened to strip it of the franchise if it fails to deliver better services.

FGW, which took on the franchise in 2006, plans to use the money to increase its rolling stock; improve customer information systems at stations; improve some of its fleet; increase compensation under the Passenger's Charter; provide extra discounted tickets; enhance customer relations; recruit extra drivers, guards and technicians; as well as improve maintenance of its trains.

Moir Lockhead, the FirstGroup chief executive, said: "The announcement demonstrates our commitment to improving performance and customer service in our First Great Western franchise.

"This additional £29m will directly benefit FGW passengers and underpins our plans to improve the quality and reliability of services we provide."

Derek Potter, chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, said: "Anything that increases the likelihood of advertised trains running on time is to be welcomed. All we can hope for is that, as FGW gets its act together, the Cotswold Line gets its share.

"I will be very happy when all the trains run as they are supposed to on the timetable."