North Wales Routing via Wrexham

[Gregsy]

Here is a query for all you atoc Any Permitted experts

I have a season ticket from Penyffordd to Llanfairfechan valid via Any Permitted route. I generally travel via Shotton on the Bidston line but yesterday I travelled on the direct Llandudno Junction to Wrexham train and got the 21.57 from Wrexham Gen. to Penyffordd.

Is this a permitted route? If so, can I use it to travel up and down to Wrexham from Penyffordd as intermediate stations or go to Chester via Wrexham which saves a £3.80 bus fare. Can I get a late night train back from Llandudno Junction to Chester and make my own way from there? I need to argue my case at the Chester Ticket Barrier.

Many thanks

Greg Morris

 

[John @ home]

Is this a permitted route?

Welcome to the forum, Gregsy!

My opinion is no. Via Wrexham is the shortest route continuously by rail, but that is due to the two lines at Shotton not being physically connected.

I don't think the definition of a shortest route covers the position where two unconnected lines pass through the same station, as at Shotton or Tamworth, but I would not expect the ticket to be valid.

Wrexham Group fails the fares check so Wrexham is not an appropriate Routeing Point for a Penyffordd - Llanfairfechan journey. See page 3 of the National Routeing Guide Instructions for an explanation of the fares check.

 

[Gregsy]

Dear John

Thanks for your welcome.

I looked up the single fare from Llandudno J via Wrexham to Penyffordd and on a direct Wrexham to Llandudno J train (Arriva Trains) it is the same as from Penyffordd eg £14.90. Does this overcome the fare rule objection?

It's all a bit mindboggling really. The problem is that in the evenings there are few trains that stop at Shotton on the NW line and even fewer running up the hill which means a wait of over an hour in Shotton. Not a particularly lovely spot although wedderspoons have done wonders to the New Central Hotel.

Many thanks

Greg

 

[headshot119]

Hi Gregsy welcome to the forum.

I agree with John @ Home officially from the routing guide a ticket from Penyffordd to Llanfairfechan is not valid for travel via Chester and Wrexham General.

This is because Penyfford is assocaited with both the Shotton and Wrexham groups. We must use the Shotton group as the Wrexham group fails the fare check rule.

If you want My, and I must hasten to add that this is only my opinion. The fact that the booking engine will give you journeys routed via Chester and Wrexham General, allows you to travel via Chester and Wrexham General.

I am in two minds as to whether staff on board, or Chester gateline would challenge you.

It's odd actually that Shotton is the only station on the North Wales coast that requires an easement to the routing guide to allow you to travel via Chester from Wrexham, presumably because there are direct trains between Wrexham and Shotton, and the ticket is cheaper than a Wrexham General - Chester ticket. As well as this if you have a Wrexham Central - Shotton ticket which costs the same as a Wrexham General - Shotton ticket, you can't travel via Chester.