A "direct" Wolverhampton and Walsall service, via Crane Street, Portobello, Darlaston and Pleck Junctions, 6m 55c, in 12mins, was introduced in 1998.
Poor patronage due to many reasons, all of which could have been solved, saw the service "unoffically" withdrawn in Dec 2008, reduced from hourly SuX service to one weekday service dep Walsall at 1926.
This then reduced further in May 2013 to a SO departure from Wolverhampton at 0638, this being the min requirement to prevent a withdrawal notice to be applied.
As from 21st May 2016, the "direct" service will now been rerouted via Stour Valley, via Soho, Perry Barr junctions, then along Grand Junction, via Bescot to Pleck Junction and Walsall. A distance of 19m 31c - journey time 30mins, 3 times further.
Is this a legitimate change?
When a rail service is introduced to the network - what aspects of the service are protected?
The stations served?
The stations are still served and by a direct service - if only one, where journey time has increased from 12 to 30 mins. So this still the "direct" service, between Wolverhampton and Walsall?
But what of the route?
When this service started in 1998, the route via Darlaston and Pleck Junctions would have been designated a passenger route. And has been so for 18 years until 14th May 2016. For as from the new timetable May 2016 - no passenger services will use this route.
So technically one could argue passenger services have now been withdrawn along this route. So should this not require some form of legal withdrawal process?
I am concerned about this change as Walsall MBC have recently made the bold brave move to scrap Midland Metro expansion to Walsall in favour of a policy upgrading the rail network.
But with the remaining service now re-routed - and this route no longer carrying a passenger service, could this pose a problem re-introducing a passenger service?
Poor patronage due to many reasons, all of which could have been solved, saw the service "unoffically" withdrawn in Dec 2008, reduced from hourly SuX service to one weekday service dep Walsall at 1926.
This then reduced further in May 2013 to a SO departure from Wolverhampton at 0638, this being the min requirement to prevent a withdrawal notice to be applied.
As from 21st May 2016, the "direct" service will now been rerouted via Stour Valley, via Soho, Perry Barr junctions, then along Grand Junction, via Bescot to Pleck Junction and Walsall. A distance of 19m 31c - journey time 30mins, 3 times further.
Is this a legitimate change?
When a rail service is introduced to the network - what aspects of the service are protected?
The stations served?
The stations are still served and by a direct service - if only one, where journey time has increased from 12 to 30 mins. So this still the "direct" service, between Wolverhampton and Walsall?
But what of the route?
When this service started in 1998, the route via Darlaston and Pleck Junctions would have been designated a passenger route. And has been so for 18 years until 14th May 2016. For as from the new timetable May 2016 - no passenger services will use this route.
So technically one could argue passenger services have now been withdrawn along this route. So should this not require some form of legal withdrawal process?
I am concerned about this change as Walsall MBC have recently made the bold brave move to scrap Midland Metro expansion to Walsall in favour of a policy upgrading the rail network.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/...-black-country-metro-tram-link-declared-dead/
PUBLISHED: October 23, 2015 7:28 am
Walsall and Black Country Metro tram link declared dead
A long-awaited Metro route linking Walsall with the Black Country has lost the support of the borough's council after bosses said it was 'pretty clear' the scheme was dead.
'5 Ws' line would take the trams from Wolverhampton, through Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall before reconnecting to the Birmingham line at Wednesbury.
But, while Centro funding has been made available for other transport schemes in the region over that period, the idea has never got off the ground.
Walsall Council has decided to drop support the scheme, deciding instead to back plans for new railway stations in Willenhall and Darlaston.
But with the remaining service now re-routed - and this route no longer carrying a passenger service, could this pose a problem re-introducing a passenger service?