Open Access News

[Humberside]

From the latest RAIL:

ORR says the 2008 WCML timetable would need to be rewritten for Grand Union to be accomdated
ORR and NR says there is no space in the Birmingham area to accomdate WSMR's services because freight uses up the avialble capacity via Bescot and Stetchford

And perhaps most interestingly of all, ORR says Virgin West Coast and Cross Country have legal protection against competing servcies between Woverhampton and Marylebone, Stockport and Euston and Glasgow southwards which would affect Grand Union, WSMR and Renaissance Trains planned Glasgow-Liverpool/Nottingham service. How is this the case, as to me this goes against open access legislation?

 

[CallySleeper]

most interestingly of all, ORR says Virgin West Coast and Cross Country have legal protection against competing servcies between Wolverhampton and Marylebone, Stockport and Euston and Glasgow southwards which would affect Grand Union, WSMR and Renaissance Trains planned Glasgow-Liverpool/Nottingham service. How is this the case, as to me this goes against open access legislation?

The other half of the deal as it were between the two companies and Railtrack. In return for gross investment into new trains and infrastructure on the part of the TOCs, there stands a very simple but effective "moderation of competition" clause which in effect restricts any other competition from operating companies, franchised or open access.

 

[Turbostar]

Grand Union??? Isn't that a canal??? lol I thought the company was called Grand Central?

Mart

 

[Coxster]

Grand Union??? Isn't that a canal??? lol I thought the company was called Grand Central?

Grand Union: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Union_Railway
Grand Central: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Railway