Grand Central gets Sunderland to Kings Cross Go-ahead
28 Jan 2006
Sunderland is to get its own dedicated high speed rail link to London after the green light was given for Grand Central to begin direct services to Kings Cross.
The Office of Rail Regulation said that Grand Central can start their planned three new services a day from early 2007. This means GNER will be unable to run extra trains to and from Leeds, and Grand Central themselves have had plans for a direct London to Bradford service refused. Grand Central’s Sunderland service is the second ‘open access’ route allowed by the ORR, following Hull Trains, who run six trains a day to Kings Cross, carrying 400,000 passengers a year.
Bill Emery, ORR chief executive, said: “We had to consider how to balance the interests of rail users in different parts of Yorkshire and the north east, and take account of the effect on existing franchised services.
“We believe the proposed decision offers the best outcome for rail users. It would bring significant benefits to passengers.”
The news was welcomed by Ian Yeowart, managing director of Grand Central, who thanked those that had worked on and supported their bid to run services. He said: “I am absolutely delighted that all our research, effort and single-minded determination have been rewarded.
“We are disappointed not to be granted the rights to offer trains to Bradford and Halifax at this time, but will continue to work hard to ensure the forthcoming route utilisation study offers up opportunities for these important markets.”
GNER’s Richard Allan said the company was “surprised and disappointed” by the ORR decision. “The ORR’s own economic analysts concluded that the highest levels of benefits were delivered by our proposals,” he said.