Boost for Blackpool as daily London train confirmed

WEST Coast Main Line operator Virgin Trains has been given the green light from the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to run direct services from both Blackpool and Shrewsbury to London Euston.

The new services will begin in December and are part of a range of service improvements on the WCML route that coincide with the award of Virgin Trains’ extended franchise.

The Blackpool North service will run Monday to Friday and depart at 05:25 daily and will call at Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton le Flyde, Preston, Wigan North Western, Warrington Bank Quay, Crewe and Nuneaton before arriving in London at 08:34.  The return service from London Euston departs at 16:33 and arrives back in Blackpool at 19:31.

The Shrewsbury service will begin on Sunday December 14 with the Blackpool operation starting 24 hours later.

Phil Whittingham, lead executive, Virgin Trains, said: “With our extended franchise we are able to get back to doing what we do best, offering new journey opportunities whilst still delivering the same high standards of service to our customers.

“We have worked hard with our industry partners to gain the approval for these new services. Special thanks must go to the ORR, Network Rail and the Department for Transport. We thank them all for this big vote of confidence.”

The company now plans to work with various stakeholders to ensure the routes are a success and become a permanent fixture on the railway timetable.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Direct trains between London and Blackpool and Shrewsbury will be a valuable addition to the services which already connect both towns to the rest of the rail network. They will provide greater business and leisure opportunities and will support and develop local economic growth as a result of improved access to the capital.

“We have worked closely with Virgin Trains, the ORR and the wider industry to make this possible to help meet the demands of passengers and will continue to do so ahead of the first services being introduced in December 2014.”