{"id":245804,"date":"2025-07-03T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=b724696a132f4d292e1c43bed638930d"},"modified":"2025-07-03T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:00:00","slug":"rail-regulator-rejects-west-coast-main-line-applications-due-to-insufficient-capacity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=245804","title":{"rendered":"Rail regulator rejects West Coast Main Line applications due to insufficient capacity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rail regulator rejects West Coast Main Line applications due to insufficient capacity<\/span>
\n

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).<\/div>\n
\n
Cover Image<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
Image<\/div>\n
\"Railway<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n
Body<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
Components<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

ORR\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Stephanie Tobyn, ORR\u2019s director of strategy, policy and reform, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

“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. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

Notes to editors<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Decision on applications for access to the West Coast Main Line (WCML) \u2013 letter to applicants<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Applicants\u2019 proposed services:\n