There is "no magic dust" to fix the service at Kenilworth Railway Station as the line continues to be short staffed.

That was the message from West Midlands Railway at last night's Kenilworth Community Forum with the meeting told it will be next summer before the service is fully resumed.

And there was no positive news about the empty retail unit either, which has received no interest at all since it became vacant nine weeks ago.

But WMR head of stakeholder and community Fay Easton said the problems were not just in Kenilworth.

"The shortage of drivers continues, its not just in Kenilworth or the Leamington Spa depot, it is across the network," she said.

"There is no magic dust here, it will be a slow recovery."

Commuters have been left frustrated at the unpredictable service along the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton line.

Whilst WMR promised more trains in September, last minute cancellations and bus replacements continue.

However, the poor service was not blamed for the lack of interest in the empty hub.

"We assume it is a lack of confidence in the economy right now," said Ms Easton.

"I know we have had a tough time in Kenilworth but we could have a renaissance if there was a really active retail unit there.

"There is a lot of opportunity there for the right individual or group."

Councillors and residents at the meeting did not hold back, and told WMR that there needed to be drastic changes at the station to make sure the £14 million investment isn't wasted.

One resident said: "The discussion of use of the station on a rental basis is irrelevant until there is some throughput and there will be no throughput until there is a decent service.

"The service is a waste of space, there is no point in pussyfooting around – it is just not fit for purpose. Something needs to be done about that."

Ms Easton reassured the meeting that WMR was committed to improving the service.

"I can 100 per cent say to you, the company and the chief executive all want to see this line flourish," she said.

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