GC’s current track access agreement expires on PCD 2027 and with an ageing diesel fleet GC is making this application in order to extend its current access rights for 11 years, underpinning the required investment in a replacement fleet and allowing GC to continue to provide benefits to the communities currently served. It is proposed that the agreement will commence at 01:59 hours on the PCD 2027 and end at 01:59 hours on the PCD 2038.
GC is proposing to procure a new build fleet of at least Bi-Mode trains (GC is considering the option to include an element of battery operation) which will provide an improved customer offering, remove the requirement for GC to operate diesel trains on the ECML and in to London King’s Cross and improve rolling stock reliability and performance across GC services.
GC is seeking no additional access rights over and above the firm and contingent rights contained within its existing access agreement for which services are currently operating. We therefore believe consideration of this application has no impact on and is not impacted by the ORR track access process set out in its letter of 24th April, given it seeks no additional rights and is outside the periods defined in the ORR process. For the avoidance of doubt this will mean the continuation of:
North East
Monday – Saturday – 6 return services between Sunderland and London King’s Cross
Sunday: 5 return services between Sunderland and London King’s Cross
West Riding
Monday – Sunday: 4 return services between Bradford and London King’s Cross.
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