7 June 2018
Access Rights for New direct journey opportunities daily to and from the Fylde coast to Nuneaton and Milton Keynes approved by ORR
Allows for Five return services per day from the Blackpool, Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham and Wesham to London with opportunity for a 6th return service
Would deliver 2630 additional daily seats to and from the capital and generate benefits for economies and communities
Alliance Rail Holdings (Alliance) welcomes the decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), to approve its application for a new direct passenger rail service between Blackpool North and London Euston.
The application was submitted by Great North Western Railway (GNWR), an Arriva company and a sister company of Grand Central, rated Britain’s top train company [1] for its services between the North East, Yorkshire and London.
The new services these Access Rights support would be able to start in September 2019 and would see Intercity train sets of a high standard introduced. These trains are planned to be formed from an electric locomotive, six passenger carriages (including first class and a buffet car) and a large luggage van.
Around 90 new jobs [2] would be created to provide this service, many based in the North West. This would help bolster the wider economy of the North particularly along the Fylde coast.
Alongside the provision of new direct services from Blackpool to London, passengers would benefit from the increased choice these services would provide at other stations on the West Coast Main Line (WCML).
The new service is planned to operate between Blackpool North and London Euston and to call at Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham and Wesham, Preston, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes Central.
Alliance said “We are delighted that the ORR has approved our application to deliver new direct rail services linking towns and cities between Blackpool and London. We expect that our plans would lead to growth of the market for rail travel, a better journey experience, innovation and lower fares. Passengers would also have the choice who they wish to travel with.”
The key features of the planned new service are:
Direct electric services between London and Blackpool
· Significant economic benefits over the term of the contract [3] across the towns and cities served including:
Around 90 direct rail jobs created
Creation of 100 full time employment opportunities (wider economic benefits)
£31 million in employment benefits
£106.9 million in additional visitor spend
£44 million in environmental and safety benefits
[1] Autumn 2017 National Rail Passenger Survey. 96% of Grand Central customers were satisfied or very satisfied
[2] Including train crew, management and support staff.
[3] Measured until 2026
