Cross Border rail services (Wales)

[merlodlliw]

Yesterday saw MPs discussing the Cross Border rail service (Wales )
it makes interesting reading, here is the Hansard report from the web,even the Hovercraft between Rhyl & the Wirral raises its head.

http://www.publications.parliament....40702/halltext/140702h0001.htm#14070258000001

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

After the tedious local lobbying, the most significant response from the minister is the apparent intention to shrink the boundaries of the Wales & Borders franchise closer to a Wales-only network.
That might suit the politicians but would be bad news for cross-border passengers.

 

[Gareth Marston]

After the tedious local lobbying, the most significant response from the minister is the apparent intention to shrink the boundaries of the Wales & Borders franchise closer to a Wales-only network.
That might suit the politicians but would be bad news for cross-border passengers.

Significant in N Wales and Mid Wales but no South (as FGW/XC cover)

 

[Wavertreelad]

Significant in N Wales and Mid Wales but no South (as FGW/XC cover)

May be not the case, see "the Halton Curve upgrade is on" thread.

 

[thealexweb]

After the tedious local lobbying, the most significant response from the minister is the apparent intention to shrink the boundaries of the Wales & Borders franchise closer to a Wales-only network.
That might suit the politicians but would be bad news for cross-border passengers.

Does this mean the Manchester to llandudno direct service will end when the new franchise starts?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Does this mean the Manchester to llandudno direct service will end when the new franchise starts?

There probably is some madman in Cardiff plotting to make everybody change at Chester or Shrewsbury, so that the map is "tidy".
Hopefully they will see sense before it reaches the franchise spec.

 

[krus_aragon]

There probably is some madman in Cardiff plotting to make everybody change at Chester or Shrewsbury, so that the map is "tidy".
Hopefully they will see sense before it reaches the franchise spec.

Well, to play devil's advocate, there is talk of getting West Coast services extended from Birmingham to Shrewsbury on a regular basis. Would there be a need for ATW's semi-fast service in between LM's stopper and an hourly (Baby) Pendolino?

There was also talk here recently of Cardiff-Chepstow being transferred to CrossCountry (can't find the thread*), but I have doubts over that one myself.