WREXHAM to MARYLEBONE – A DECISION
Despite various forecasts that a decision would be made by the end of August regarding the open access application by Wrexham Shropshire & Marylebone Railway Co Ltd for the running of trains to and from Marylebone, the announcement of the decision eventually came on 3 September. The ORR then said it has approved track access rights for a new service between London Marylebone and Wrexham. The rights will come into effect in December 07 and run for seven years to operate five services each way on weekdays, three on Saturdays and three northbound and two southbound on Sunday.
Other than reporting press speculation as to the date of a decision, the WS&MR website had been quiet all summer with the last reported communication being a letter to stakeholders from Director John Nelson dated 21 May 2007 which serves as a useful review of what is necessary to provide the envisaged service.
In his letter he said they had received a workable timetable offer from Network Rail relating to the timetable that is due to commence in December 2007. Referring to other areas where good progress had been made he noted:
Network Rail had written a positive letter to the ORR about the good progress being made with the development of the timetable. This letter confirmed no problems were anticipated in accommodating the WS&MR train services from December 2008 onward when significant changes are expected to facilitate the final implementation of the West Coast Mainline upgrade.
A number of trials with the proposed locomotives and rolling stock had demonstrated the timetable was completely robust. (A class 67 with Driving Van Trailer and 3 coaches ran to Wrexham on 13 June. Ed.)
The ORR continued to study the proposals and had been provided with a wealth of additional information at their request to evaluate the business case. In addition to interest in economic and social benefits that WS&MR will bring they also looked at the revenue and performance impact the WS&MR service may have on other operators. Whilst the benefits are great, WS&MR believe they will have minimal impact on others and performance is unlikely to be a major issue as only 10 trains a day will run out of over one thousand run in the West Midlands.
WS&MR were in the middle of very positive commercial negotiations over the provision of their trains and expect these to be finalised concurrent with the ORR decision. Refurbishment of the trains to the WS&MR specification could not of course begin until ORR gave a favourable decision.
The major recruitment drive over the previous 6 months allowed for shortlists of staff to be drawn up and WS&MR wants to appoint to the roles of Train Manager and Driver. A further campaign for Stewards and other supporting positions will begin in due course but WS&MR was unable to make appointments until the ORR decision is made.
A December 2007 implementation was tight and delays would put back the start of the WS&MR services – currently seen as starting Spring 2008 now the announcement is forthcoming.
There was a possibility that the ORR decision would hold an Industry Hearing causing additional delay, although WS&MR felt this was unnecessary as their proposals do not meaningfully compete with any other rail operator on the direct London service and 5 trains a day in each direction do not represent a significant increase in the Network. However WS&MR acknowledged that the vociferous opposition of certain franchised train operators could tip the balance in favour of a Hearing. Note: The ORR will issue a separate report giving its full reasons for the decision shortly. Ed.
The letter ended with a suggestion that Stakeholders might still care to write to ORR to press the case for these services which is obviously not now necessary.
In announcing the decision the ORR Chief Executive Bill Emery comments,
“We have considered WS&MR’s application for new services carefully against the background of our duties and published policies. We balanced the interests of all rail users affected by WS&MR’s proposed services assessing the effect of the new services on franchised services; and the more general benefits that will arise from the promotion of competition on the network.
“We are satisfied that approving the rights offers the best outcome for rail users. The new route will bring significant benefits to passengers, particularly to Wrexham and other areas of Wales and Shropshire that will receive a new direct service connecting them to London.”
It is noted that the rights to call at Gobowen, Chirk and Ruabon for one northbound weekday service will be contingent i.e. conditional. The rights to call at Wolverhampton, Birmingham International and Banbury will be only to set down southbound and pick up northbound only.