The Government has today announced the go-ahead for High Speed 2. Whilst there may be some changes from the original proposals, the main elements of the scheme have been approved. Construction of Phase 1 from London to the West Midlands is now due to start in April. Cllr Trevor Roberts, Chairman of West Coast Rail […]
The new West Coast Partnership, now branded as Avanti West Coast, began operations on 8 December 2019. A formal launch was held on Monday 9 December at various locations between London and Glasgow, with a special train linking the events. Representatives from West Coast Rail 250 attended many of the events, including the naming of
The Department of Transport has announced details of previously announced review into High Speed 2, prior to a go / no-go decision being taken by the end of the year. The review will be undertaken in six weeks, and the outcomes will be announced in the Autumn. The review panel, chaired by Doug Oakervee, is
The Department for Transport today announced First / Trenitalia as the successful bidder for the West Coast Partnership. The new franchise will start on 9 December 2019. The new operator will initially run intercity services on the West Coast Main Line, but from 2026 will also run the new High Speed 2 services until the
Despite Government announcements on 10 April that the new West Coast Partnership franchise would be awarded in June, the winning bidder was still not known as of 24 July. As soon as the successful bidder is announced, West Coast Rail 250 will arrange a meeting with them to discuss their plans and future opportunities for
The latest meeting of the West Coast Main Line All Party Parliamentary Group was held on 26 June at 1 Parliament Street, London, chaired by John Stevenson (MP for Carlisle). The delay in announcing the outcome of the West Coast Partnership franchise meant that it was not possible to have a presentation from the winning
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Grand Central confirmed on 24 June plans to operate services between Blackpool North and London Euston starting in Spring 2020. The services will run under “open access” arrangements, and were approved by the Office of Rail and Road in June 2018. Grand Central is planning to operate five services in each direction per day Monday
The General Council (open to all members) met on 6 June in Stockport. Presentations were received from the Department for Transport, Transport for the North, Virgin Trains, TransPennine Express and Network Rail. The latter presentation included discussion on the impact of engineering works, especially summer blockades which have a major impact on those parts of
