Great North Eastern Railway
GNER is seeking to introduce new train services on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) between London King’s Cross and Huddersfield, London King’s Cross and Skipton / Ilkley / Bradford, London King’s Cross and Cleethorpes as well as a Pennine service linking Liverpool and Hull.
Proposed Route Map ECML
Proposed Route Map Pennine
Services outlined are planned to start in 2014 following the introduction of new rolling stock and following the provision of increased ECML capacity planned during the current Control Period (CP4). The considerable task of negotiating acceptance of the proposals through the industry’s mechanisms is currently underway.
GNER recognises the importance that passengers place on direct services, value for money, reliability, quality and comfort, and will ensure its proposals are fully developed with future passengers and stakeholders.
Recent evidence has shown that new operators, offering a simple to understand package give confidence and clarity on ticket purchase, and whilst GNER accepts that it will not always be the cheapest option, there will be a transparent consistency in its pricing.
The ECML already has successful competing operators, with the current open access operators providing direct London services for Sunderland, Teesside, Bradford, Halifax and Hull. The proposed new links between London King’s Cross and Huddersfield, London King’s Cross and Skipon/Ilkley and London King’s Cross and Cleethorpes will provide new services to over 1 million people, restoring direct links with London for a number of locations and new links for others.
Alliance is also working with Network Rail and other interested parties on the provision of improved facilities at a number of geographically important locations to make these stations safer and more accessible to support the challenge of changing travel patterns, particularly in encouraging car drivers to travel by train.
