Bantamzen
Established Member
Even when all daytime services were 2tph from Forster Square units often spent most of the day stabled there.It seems to me that a platform at Forster Square isn't needed, rather instead Northern need to be running 2tph, as per pre covid, to free up the existing platforms for LNER to use the long platform rather than using them as extra carriage sidings.
To offer an alternative to having to change at Leeds for Kings Cross passengers not opting for the trundle around West Yorkshire on Grand Central, as well as potentially freeing up a platform at Leeds for longer without even more expensive work?However the question for me is, why are the LNER services needed at either Harrogate or Bradford? Thats caused by a relentless focus on performance at the expense of passeger journeys / connections so said passengers request and demand through services and of course that may require additional, expensive, infrastructure.
I'll be honest I was sceptical about this at first, but having more LNER services as well as a return of 2tph across all routes might help make a stronger case to upgrade the rest of the station. And given that new bus hubs are appearing in the area, the potential to increase footfall through Forster Square exists, so any improvements could help towards that.