thenorthern
Established Member
- Joined
- 27 May 2013
- Messages
- 4,119
Has there been any news on the future of the parliamentary/infrequent services that Northern Rail currently operate during the next franchise period?
Given the relatively large amount of parliamentary services that Northern Rail operate all (I think) of which were inherited from First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern who in turn inherited them from British Rail I wouldn't be surprised if one of the bidders has made a franchise commitment to close some of the stations.
I know Halton Curve is likely to be upgraded and restored to regular traffic during the next franchise period which will mean it will no longer be a parliamentary service.
There was some talk last year about the DfT allowing the new franchise holder to officially close Reddish South and Denton although the local MP wasn't happy about this.
I have heard no talk about what will happen to Teesside Airport, the Sheffield to Cleethorpes via Brigg line, the Helsby to Ellesmere Port line or the Sheffield to York via Pontefract line. I did hear somewhere that Longport may have more Northern services calling there when the new franchise is in place although I doubt that this will happen.
Has anyone heard any other information on the parliamentary Northern services post 2016?
Given that immediately after taking over the franchise Central Trains applied to close the Sinfin Branch Line I am surprised others haven't followed suit. The Sinfin Branch Line I suppose was an unusual case though.
A bit of a side note here Teesside Airport in the entire franchise period had received the same amount of passengers as the next station on the route (Allens West) receives every 3 days.
Given the relatively large amount of parliamentary services that Northern Rail operate all (I think) of which were inherited from First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern who in turn inherited them from British Rail I wouldn't be surprised if one of the bidders has made a franchise commitment to close some of the stations.
I know Halton Curve is likely to be upgraded and restored to regular traffic during the next franchise period which will mean it will no longer be a parliamentary service.
There was some talk last year about the DfT allowing the new franchise holder to officially close Reddish South and Denton although the local MP wasn't happy about this.
I have heard no talk about what will happen to Teesside Airport, the Sheffield to Cleethorpes via Brigg line, the Helsby to Ellesmere Port line or the Sheffield to York via Pontefract line. I did hear somewhere that Longport may have more Northern services calling there when the new franchise is in place although I doubt that this will happen.
Has anyone heard any other information on the parliamentary Northern services post 2016?
Given that immediately after taking over the franchise Central Trains applied to close the Sinfin Branch Line I am surprised others haven't followed suit. The Sinfin Branch Line I suppose was an unusual case though.
A bit of a side note here Teesside Airport in the entire franchise period had received the same amount of passengers as the next station on the route (Allens West) receives every 3 days.