London Midland proposed changes to North West services

[northwichcat]

From Dec 2012 they are proposing the following services to replace existing Crewe-London and Liverpool-Birmingham services.

Preston-Birmingham. (hourly) Calling points: Wigan, Warrington, Hartford, Crewe, Penkridge, Coseley, Sandwell & Dudley

Liverpool-London (hourly) Calling points: Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Hartford, Winsford, Crewe, Alsager, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, Stone, Stafford, Rugeley Trent Valley, Lichfield Trent Valley,Tamworth, Atherstone, Nuneaton, Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Watford Junction (Also limited Acton Bridge calls)

Liverpool-Birmingham (hourly) Calling points: Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Crewe, Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton

 

[Failed Unit]

Hopefully the Preston - Birmingham service will help reduce overcrowding on that section. Don't know if Liverpool will be happy.

 

[First class]

Sounds good to me (a Liverpool resident)...

The 'London Midland Only' tickets are popular round here which generally means changing at Stafford.

People do prefer a direct train.

Liverpool also get a new service to Stoke on Trent.

 

[ukrob]

I'm sure there is already a thread on this

 

[ChrisTheRef]

There's a thread on 2012 timetables in general...

I (also based in Liverpool) like the look of them.

As First Class said, we gain a direct service to Stoke on Trent and lots of Trent Valley destinations.
Not really a loss in service to Birmingham, as my guess is the Preston train will depart half an hour after the Liverpool train and I could catch that, change at Crewe and have the London - Liverpool train reach Crewe shortly afterwards.

Also another marketing dream for Liverpool South Parkway, which will have tonnes of destinations within reach via direct train.

 

[Flying Snail]

Sounds good to me (a Liverpool resident)...

The 'London Midland Only' tickets are popular round here which generally means changing at Stafford.

People do prefer a direct train.

Direct yes but very slow, possibly still quicker to take the Birmingham and change at Stafford.

What level of stupid has the Preston-Birmingham not stopping at Stafford and Wolverhampton? I would guess a significant % of those from Penkridge, Cossley and Sandwell & Dudley would be wanting to go to Stafford or Wolverhampton.

Also not good to see the Smethwick GB stop removed as it is a useful connection station.

 

[TheBigD]

I'm sure there is already a thread on this

Indeed. http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38095

And the proposed timetables are at the back of this document...http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1258

 

[The Engineer]

This is a good suggestion to me! It brings back Preston "all stations" to Crewe to half-hourly (since the London trains cut the Crewe stop) and reliff to overcrowded Birmingham - Scotland Virgin services. I think Liverpool to Birmingham at half-hourly was always overkill!! Liverpool to London gives a whole host of new destination for Liverpool to Stoke and Trent Valley stations.

Verdict - very sensible!!

 

[Mojo]

Already posted. Please see link in post 7 for where to look.