The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rejected applications from three companies seeking track access contracts with Network Rail to run services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML).
ORR concluded there is insufficient capacity on the West Coast Main Line southern section for the introduction of any of the proposed services: from East Coast Trains Limited (Lumo NW); the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway Company Limited (WSMR); and Virgin Management Limited (Virgin). To introduce any of these proposals would be detrimental to performance on the WCML and therefore all passengers and freight customers.
ORR determines all track access applications in accordance with its statutory duties. In the case of these three applications, lack of capacity and the anticipated impact on performance alone meant we could not approve them. As such, our duty to have regard to the funds available to the Secretary of State was not relevant to this decision.
ORR’s assessment of these applications included their operational viability, the benefits the services would generate, and the often-supportive views of passengers and local stakeholders. These factors did not alter our fundamental conclusion that the proposed services cannot be introduced due to insufficient space on the network and the likely detriment to train performance.
Stephanie Tobyn, ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform, said:
"After thorough assessment of each application, it was clear that there was insufficient capacity to approve any of the services without a serious negative impact on the level of train performance that passengers experience on the West Coast Main Line.”
“We recognise the potential advantages of competition on the West Coast Main Line, which is why we approved in 2024 the new London-Stirling services that First Group are due to start operating in 2026. However, it is clear that the southern end of the route requires space in the timetable to provide resilience. Additional services within the current timetable structure and planned capacity use would further weaken punctuality and reliability, not just at the south end of the WCML but elsewhere as well.”
A Virgin Group spokesperson commented: “Virgin’s proposed services on the West Coast mainline would have delivered excellent value for customers and taxpayers alike by adding five million additional seats every year from a trusted brand with a track-record for delivering award-winning, reliable train services for its customers.
or consumer choice and competition. We still believe, that given the opportunity, Virgin’s Open Access routes could play a valuable role in delivering the high-quality train services the British public deserve and GBR wants to encourage.
“Virgin Trains took the West Coast mainline from eight million to 42 million passengers per year, all while increasing innovation, topping customer satisfaction surveys and trebling services.
“Anyone who remembers British Rail would rather forget it. Competition improves services, increases rail ridership, and drives better results for everyone, including the taxpayer.
“For now, Virgin is focused on bringing much-needed competition to the cross-Channel route by igniting a new era in international rail services for travellers on both sides of the Channel.”
Image credit: ORR
