Rail bids spark fears

Opening up the west coast main line to competition is in danger of leaving Oldham’s commuters in the lurch, say local transport chiefs.

Three private companies and the Department for Transport have submitted bids to run trains on the line from Scotland to London via the North-West when Virgin’s franchise runs out in 2012.

Extra competition could improve frequencies and drive down fares.

But Stephen Clark, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive’s rail programme director, said: “It is very difficult to balance. The bids would provide better connections but they potentially conflict with the capacity of local commuter services.”

The last big timetable change two years ago ended in disaster for local commuters particularly on the line into Victoria through Mills Hill.

On the first day, 123 trains run by Northern Rail had to be cancelled and Northern received almost five times as many letters of complaint. It took two months for cancellations and punctuality to return to normal.

In a letter to the Rail Regulator, Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority stated: “We would be dismayed if the introduction of any of these new services introduced inefficiencies.”

The DfT has submitted its bid but the rail regulator is also considering applications from:

::London Midland. An hourly service from Birmingham to Preston calling at Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Hartford, Warrington, and Wigan.

::Grand Central. Four trains in each direction between London and Blackpool via Hartford.

::Alliance Rail Holdings. Trains every two hours between London and Leeds via Crewe, Stockport, and Guide Bridge as well as Bradford via Newton-le-Willows, Eccles, Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.