13.06.16
DfT expressed concern over additional ECML services
The Department for Transport criticised the decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to allow additional services on the East Coast Main Line (ECML), it has emerged.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, parliamentary under-secretary to the Department for Transport, admitted in response to a written question from Labour’s Lord Bradshaw that the department had “expressed concern” about increasing open access on the ECML in correspondence with the ORR before the decision was made.
However, he said that the department had not undertaken an analysis of the impact of the decision on the reliability and performance of ECML services.
“We now look to Network Rail and the relevant train operators to work together through the normal industry processes, under the oversight of the ORR, to ensure that the resulting pattern of services operates as effectively as possible for passengers and freight users of the line, and to ensure that any negative impacts on performance are minimised,” said Lord Ahmad.
He also said that the government supported fairer charges for open access operators such as Grand Central, which has warned that the decision is likely to have “a significant impact” on its work.
Last week, the ORR revealed its plans for increased route-based devolution, including separate financial arrangements and outputs for each route.
(Image c. Michael Day)
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