Locals Root for Grand Central
29 Apr 2005
More than 2,000 people have signed the Sunderland Echo’s petition aimed at getting Grand Central’s plan for a new open access north east flyer service ‘Back on Track.’
The campaign supports Grand Central’s proposed inter-city rail service from Sunderland and Hartlepool to London. Local business people and politicians back the scheme.
‘Sunderland is a big city with big ambitions, and a mainline rail link to the capital is something the city needs and deserves,’ said Rob Lawson, editor of the Sunderland Echo. ‘It will be a vital tool in the further regeneration of the city, as well as being a confidence booster for its people. All the feedback we’ve had so far, from readers, advertisers and businesses, has been very positive.’
As well as the press, the city council, local MPs and Tyne and Wear PTA are backing Grand Central’s drive to open up a four-express service a day between the north east coast and London. ‘I’m fully behind this bid and anything we can do as a council, we’ll do,’ said Councillor Bob Symonds, leader of Sunderland City Council.
‘I’m very supportive of these proposals and I’d hope everybody in Sunderland would want to see Grand Central succeed,’ added Councillor Peter Wood, leader of the Council’s Conservative Group. Political support for Grand Central’s service proposals has come from both sides of the House of Commons, with backing from Chris Mullin (Labour - Sunderland South), Fraser Kemp (Labour -Ashington & Houghton), Ian Wright (Labour - Hartlepool), Ashok Kumar (Labour - Middlesbrough South) and Ann MacIntosh (Conservative - Vale of York).
Grand Central last month submitted its formal bid to the Office of Rail Regulation for approval to operate the new passenger service. It aims to offer direct services from Sunderland to the capital, serving Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe (for Middlesbrough and Teesside), Northallerton, Thirsk and York, before running non-stop to London.
Says Ian Yeowart, Managing Director of Grand Central, ‘It is many years since major centres such as Sunderland and Hartlepool enjoyed direct inter-city rail services to the capital, so it is heartening to see the size and breadth of support for our proposed new service. We look forward to doing for Wearside and Teesside what Hull Trains has done for Humberside, by substantially building rail’s share of the market for journeys to and from London.’