Call for more train services to Blackpool from London

Attempts to increase Blackpool’s rail connection with London have stalled – despite coming at a time when the resort is enjoying massive multi-million investment.

Train operator Avanti West Coast says it has made a new bid to bring back two weekday services it lost last year, plus an extra weekend provision. It was hoped that these could begin at the start of last week.

But the company, which is responsible for providing the service between Blackpool and the capital, says it is still waiting for confirmation from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), an independent, non-ministerial government department.

Without the green light from ORR, no progress can be made.

Ironically, the axing of services last year came at a time when there has been a £350m mixed-use regeneration project in the town described as “an economic game changer”.

The Talbot Gateway project, located within a short walk to Blackpool North train station, is creating a central business district and civic quarter for more than 8,000 workers and students, helping to attract a rising number of corporate and commercial visitors.

It has even been hailed as a ‘mini-Canary Wharf, after the Riverside area of London’s which is one of the city’s major financial districts.

The hold-up also comes at a town when Blackpool’s famous holiday season is about to begin, in readines for visitors to flock in to the resort. Extra trains coming into town from London would be particularly welcome, as well as services going the other way.

A local rail user and campaigner, known as Stef M, said the situation was frustrating because Avanti had replied to him personally to say it was still waiting for ORR to make a decision on its bid.

The campaigner said: “Avanti are ready to increase the service but it is the government preventing this from happening. This is just shocking, we need these services restoring.”

It follows Avanti’s confirmation last year that its four daily weekday services to and from the resort were being cut to just two a day, starting from early December.

The move led to local anger that Avanti was halving the service, but it was then revealed that the decision had come from ORR , with hoteliers and MP Chris Webb slamming the move.

Last year, ORR explained that it took the action because it was advised by Network Rail that there were serious capacity issues on the south end of the West Coast Main Line, which Network Rail has declared as “congested infrastructure” since 2020

A spokesman for ORR said at that time: “We recognise that passengers will be disappointed that these services will not be in the timetable from December.

“In every timetable change train operators bid to add or amend services, and we are informed in our decision making by what Network Rail tells us is possible.

“ In this case, Network Rail provided evidence and recommended that ORR decline the applications to secure better reliability on the network as a whole.

“We would welcome the opportunity to work with Network Rail and train operators should they consider that there is room for these services in future timetables.”

ORR was approached for a new comment this week.

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said of the latest situation: “We have applied to Network Rail for the access rights to re-instate two weekday Blackpool services that we previously operated and re-introduce a return service on a Saturday.

“These are still awaiting confirmation from the ORR and we will continue to work with them to understand what needs to be done to bring these important services to the seaside town.”

Avanti West Coast currently operates an 0940 London Euston to Blackpool North and a 1252 Blackpool North to London Euston on weekdays.