LACK of NHS dentists, trains to Birmingham New Street and buses have been concerns raised with me frequently recently.

The shortage of dentists is a national problem. A survey by the British Dental Association has found widespread opposition to the Government's proposals for the NHS dental service.

The survey reports that only one in five dentists think that the Government has listened to their concerns about the new contract and 60 per cent could reduce their commitment to the NHS.

In April 2005 primary care trusts will take on responsibility for commissioning dental services but it is hard to see how this will improve things for the patient, recognising the scarcity of dentists prepared to work under the new NHS contract.

An urgent review of the contract would appear to be the only solution. The Government is well aware of this as MPs have initiated debates on the subject and many of us have put down parliamentary questions about it. It remains to be seen if the Government will act to improve the situation.

The changes in rail services have come as a shock to all of us who use the trains.

The loss of the direct service to New Street is unacceptable for commuters, the elderly and disabled and travellers with luggage to destinations beyond New Street. The recommended change at Smethwick Galton Bridge is impracticable.

The district council have sent me a copy of their letter of objection and I have written also to the Rail Regulator, the Strategic Rail Authority, Centro and Central Trains to request a more acceptable solution for Wyre Forest residents to the undoubted congestion at New Street.

It is disappointing to me that Chiltern Railways' excellent through service to Marylebone has not been extended to include trains later in the day.

Following pressure from councillors and myself after the withdrawal of the 192 Birmingham to Kidderminster bus service by First, I am pleased to report that the service has been taken over by Diamond Bus on Mondays to Saturdays.

The 292 Kidderminster to Ludlow service is still provided by First on Mondays to Saturdays. Whittle Coach & Bus will run 192 and 292 services on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.

In my response to the second public consultation about the Wyre Forest Educational Review I have appealed to the county council to separate the decision about a two or three-tier system from the vexed questions of school closures and mergers.

The latest document changed the goalposts for some schools and I believe that if the decision about the tiers is made first it would then be possible to plan the future of each school with the sole aim of providing the best possible education for all our children.