Indeed, but what about the longer journeys?And at least 6 buses per hour into Chester as far as I can see. I wonder if it's one of those situations where, point-to-point, the bus is more convenient than the train for shorter journeys? (Bus stop closer to home and/or closer to destination than thetrainrailway station)
It will have 2tph along the coast, 2tph to Chester for onward connections - which comprises 1tph to Liverpool, 1tph to Manchester, 1.5tph to Wrexham and 1.5tph to Bidston (for more Liverpool connections).
Looking at where the signal boxes are, the minimum headway is about 20 minutes. So bearing in mind the need to leave paths for the freight, 45 minute intervals is the tightest it's possible to run the passenger service on the current signalling. Half-hourly would be ideal (at least as far as Shotton this was an aspiration for Merseytravel) but you'd need to resignal to achieve it.
Losing Prestatyn stops would crowd out the remaining trains in the summer. Losing direct trains from Flint would annoy a lot of people in high places (both London and Cardiff).
What do you mean?
Flint is used by MPs, Lords and MSs to get to London or Cardiff. Issues with London and Cardiff services cause a lot of political noise wherever they serve.
by whom, though?
By the politicians who use them to travel between their constituency and Parliament. Nothing exercises them as much as when it's something which affects them personally. Remember how scathing the 2024 Labour intake in the North West were about Avanti when they found themselves struggling to get to the house because the company was then a shambles? Rhun ap Iorwerth used to complain about the noise whenever his train to Cardiff was worked by 153s. When Rob Roberts represented Delyn he resorted to driving to Crewe because of Avanti's performance.
There is lots of stuff in the Liverpool and North Wales local press about the launch of this service.
The Flint hinterland (Clwyd hills) is quite well-heeled and people (like me
) use it in preference to Chester which is congested and has high parking charges.Official Chester railway station parking is now £10 a day.The Flint hinterland (Clwyd hills) is quite well-heeled and people (like me
Remember all North Wales coast stations have "VK" restriction fares to London which means off-peak fares are valid on all trains into Euston after 1000 (compared to 1130 if you start from Chester/Wrexham/Hooton with restriction 2C).
Mold is the county town of Flintshire and has a crown court and Theatr Clwyd, and is just inland from Flint station which charges a cheap £2 a day to park.
Flint station has also just been nicely modernised with step-free lifts and a new footbridge.
Apart from the Deeside industry, the main employer around is Airbus at Broughton which dominates the local economy.
And I don't think it has ever been provided on Liverpool services - might change with the longer journey time from the coast.