12/12/11 – Alliance Rail Press Release
ALLIANCE RAIL HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES AN UPDATE ON ITS WEST COAST MAIN LINE (WCML) SERVICE PROPOSAL
Alliance Rail Holdings (Alliance) has now submitted a revised application for its Great North Western Railway Company (GNWR) WCML services to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). This follows a significant period of industry consultation.
Alliance is seeking to introduce a ‘Network’ that:
- Operates over 60 trains every day
- Uses new rolling stock
- Will create almost 400 new jobs
- Will deliver over £3.5 billion of wider economic benefits to the areas it will serve
Network Rail and Alliance have identified a significant number of train paths that could be utilised by GNWR to introduce the new services, with over 50% of the paths sought validated to prove the current position on available capacity. Further paths continue to be evaluated and it is expected that the future proposed WCML timetable recast will reveal further opportunities.
Ian Yeowart, Managing Director of Alliance said – “We are grateful for the detailed work that our colleagues at Network Rail have undertaken in identifying significant capacity for these services. Network Rail and its planners have given an excellent response to a significant challenge and we look forward to working together in developing the plans further.”
The ORR will shortly make the application and supporting information available on its website (www.rail-reg.gov.uk) and will be undertaking a full appraisal of the proposal.
If you would like more information about this subject please visit the website at www.alliancerail.co.uk
