Northern Connect - original plans vs. what actually happened

[yorkie]

If anyone would like to start a thread for suggestions on how any of these routes could or should be modified, feel free to do so

Please do bear in mind this thread is just to discuss what is happening or has happened, such as how the proposals differed from what actually happened.

Some posts have been moved to: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-changes-would-you-like-to-see-to-northern-services.199776/

 

[duffield]

So as far as Nottingham to Bradford is concerned, do we know if
a) The Bradford extension
and/or
b) Re-routing via Wakefield Westgate
are abandoned or just delayed or we just don't know?

 

[Djgr]

Looking again, although the Northern Connect page is easy to find via Google, I can't find it on the Northern website. For some reason?

 

[Greybeard33]

Looking again, although the Northern Connect page is easy to find via Google, I can't find it on the Northern website. For some reason?

As you say, Northern appears to have removed the link to the Northern Connect page from its homepage. It also is not shown in can still be found by delving into the third level of the sitemap (see post #42 below)

I would hazard a guess that this is because OLR will not be bound by the terms of the Arriva franchise agreement, including Northern Connect services. Therefore customers could potentially be misled if the website continued to imply that there is still a plan to introduce the Connect brand and to implement all the services listed on the Connect webpage.

 

[YorksDMU]

I’ve just looked at the sitemap. I clicked on Travel. Northern Connect is last on the list. I hope that helps.

 

[GrahamD83]

10. Newcastle to Carlisle (refurbished 158) - in operation (actually from Morpeth)

Also this service is not guaranteed to be 158 operated. I travelled this route on Saturday on a 156 both ways.

 

[Djgr]

As you say, Northern appears to have removed the link to the Northern Connect page from its homepage. It also is not shown in can still be found by delving into the third level of the sitemap (see post #42 below)

I would hazard a guess that this is because OLR will not be bound by the terms of the Arriva franchise agreement, including Northern Connect services. Therefore customers could potentially be misled if the website continued to imply that there is still a plan to introduce the Connect brand and to implement all the services listed on the Connect webpage.

On not least because it states that it will be complete by December 2019!

 

[Wharfe106]

So as far as Nottingham to Bradford is concerned, do we know if
a) The Bradford extension
and/or
b) Re-routing via Wakefield Westgate
are abandoned or just delayed or we just don't know?

The Nottingham-Bradford service is abandoned, at least for now, because the franchise is ending and thus new funding needs to be agreed before any new services can begin - other matters like paths and rolling stock excluded. There was never going to be a 're-routing' of the via Barnsley service, there was to have been a brand new, faster service Nottingham-Leeds via Westgate... whether it is revived and goes to Bradford, only Leeds or even Carlisle, is another matter for DfT/TfN/new operator.

 

[XC victim]

By now Bradford was supposed to have direct services to Liverpool, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport, Sheffield, Nottingham and a two hourly LNER service to Kings Cross. None of them appear any closer to happening.

but at least there are the new services to Hull and Chester

 

[YorksLad12]

Aren't the LNER Bradford extensions coming in May? Some issue with platforms at Forster Square to be resolved, I think.

And yes, Bradford - Nottingham via Westgate was to be a new service, alongside Leeds - Sheffield and Leeds - Sheffield - Lincoln, both via Kirkgate and Barnsley. Two fasts (one XC), two semi-fasts, two stoppers.

 

[duffield]

There was never going to be a 're-routing' of the via Barnsley service, there was to have been a brand new, faster service Nottingham-Leeds via Westgate... whether it is revived and goes to Bradford, only Leeds or even Carlisle, is another matter for DfT/TfN/new operator.

Purely from the Nottingham to Leeds point of view, surely it was a 're-routing'? AFAIK there was no plan to keep the Nottingham to Leeds via Barnsley service as well?

 

[geoffk]

Although not Northern, maybe worth mentioning TPE's Manchester - Wakefield Kirkgate service from May, which will revive a former Northern service. Although I guess it's as much to do with removing terminating trains from Hudderfield as a desire to link Manchester with Wakefield.