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Post by LPL on Feb 1, 2010 0:15:28 GMT 1
Transpennine Express is said to have asked for permission to serve LSP from December 2010.
If true, then it will enable the cities and towns (Huddersfield, Leeds, Hull, Middlesborough and Newcastle for example) on the east of the Pennines to have a lot easier access to LPL.
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Post by harbourcotter on Feb 1, 2010 17:30:43 GMT 1
It would certainly be helpful, although the only direct trains are now to Scarborough via Leeds as all other routes were diverted a couple of years or so ago, to serve manchester airport instead of liverpool (I bet you didnt hear the outrage from our local MPs - neither did I). However, it is an opportunity and changing trains at Leeds isnt too bad if you come from say Newcastle.
Unfortunately in the longer term, when the route is electrified, it will go via St Helens instead so it will only be a short term benefit of a few years. (What a waste of money that project is)
However, lets make the most of it - it has to benefit many passengers as well as the airport.
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Post by LPL on Feb 1, 2010 18:58:39 GMT 1
Liverpool has direct Transpennine services to, among others, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Leeds, York, Scarborough, Middlesborough and Hull.
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Post by davel on Feb 2, 2010 9:22:46 GMT 1
I can't see why any electrification is a waste of money, the better the train services the more people will use them. It has been reported that the line through Widnes and Warrington will also be electrified so the change may not happen and they will stay through LSP. However, is the line beyond Manchester electrified? because that would effect through services anyway. The only electrified line from Manchester over the pennines was closed years ago (via Woodhead tunnel) although there was a proposal to reopen it by Central Railways as a freight route.
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Post by Maddog on Feb 2, 2010 10:39:52 GMT 1
The money spent on the White Elephant described as Liverpool South Parkway would have best been spent on extending Merseyrail underground from the original Garston Station through to the airport.
Merseytravel? What an enormous laughing stock.
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Post by orange on Feb 2, 2010 18:57:34 GMT 1
Why is Merseytravel an enormous laughing stock?
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Post by harbourcotter on Feb 3, 2010 0:10:22 GMT 1
LPL, unfortunately you are incorrect.
I travel regularly across the Country and THE ONLY route which transpennine now does run from Liverpool is to Scarborough. Yes it runs through Leeds, York etc, but not Hull or Middlesbrough or Newcastle which are on seperate lines. You can travel there, but only by changing trains. These services have been deleted from Liverpool and instead run to Manchester Airport direct. To be fair, Government Departments rather than the train companies have forced the issue, hence empty trains trundling every few minutes to Manchester airport, which now has a better rail service than Liverpools main station.
Likewise, direct trains to the South Coast, Wales and Scotland have also been transferred to Manchester.
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Post by Maddog on Feb 3, 2010 0:35:00 GMT 1
Why is Merseytravel an enormous laughing stock? Just have a look at the transport infrastructure at the other end of the East Lancs or just look at the post above. They've got more trains into the airport - They've got trams - They have a realistic positive relationship with bus operators - They haven't got a fireman running the department - They have REAL STRATEGIC PLANNING - They're not bent as ten bob notes! |
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Post by davel on Feb 3, 2010 9:09:29 GMT 1
They also get a lot more support from central government so they should be better. The last fiasco was the congestion charge, if they excepted it, they would get a massive £1.6bn funding for new trams and trains. They rejected it but they still got the money. A case of favouratism, if there was any, as we were refused a great deal smaller sum for our proposals. Merseytravel do a good job despite the lack of funding.
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Post by LPL on Feb 3, 2010 11:44:57 GMT 1
LPL, unfortunately you are incorrect. I travel regularly across the Country and THE ONLY route which transpennine now does run from Liverpool is to Scarborough. Yes it runs through Leeds, York etc, but not Hull or Middlesbrough or Newcastle which are on seperate lines. I have just put in, as I also did last Sunday, on the Transpennine website, departing tomorrow, Liverpool to Hull, Middlesborough and Newcastle. All three came back with direct no change services. Hull has a journey time of 2hrs 50mins, Middleborough 3hrs 20mins and Newcastle 3hrs 33mins. |
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Post by Maddog on Feb 3, 2010 15:13:54 GMT 1
Merseytravel do a good job despite the lack of funding. I wonder why they get don't get the funding? I wonder ...  |
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Post by harbourcotter on Feb 3, 2010 21:13:58 GMT 1
LPL, I'm sorry, there is the odd train at weekends, which surprised me, they certainly didnt run them a few weeks ago. However, it is only at weekends. The midweek trains still run direct to Manchester airport instead of Liverpool. Whilst you are stuck at Manchester awaiting an overcrowded train to Liverpool South Parkway just ponder at all the rush hour trains going to Manchester airport. I one 30 minute spell, I counted 5 trains, with a total 14 passengers on a Friday afternoon. A total farce.
All of this is related to funding. Greater Manchester has received many, many more millions in its transport facilities than Merseyside. This is because of a Government policy to ensure that they dont 'double' funds in the Northwest. Merseyside used to be its own region and could hold its own. However, the Government decided many years ago to lump Merseyside into the Northwest. Both of the cities were of similar size, and the Government (and this applies to both Labour and Tory) decided to make 'Manchester' the lead city. Ever since then Liverpool has been starved of funds which instead have been invested into Manchester. This applies not just to travel, but to all areas, including social services, policing etc. All Government Departments (and there are many more than you would believe), now have to be based 'within a few minutes of Manchester city centre. This self generates in that the departments then only really consider manchester ad finitum. Merseyside is doing better than expected because of European funding and two major private investors, namely Grosvenor and Peel.
Rail franchises were dictated by government and hence Lime Street even at rush hour is more like a morgue. Luckily Peel has supported the airport and more, even more spectacularly as it is a Manchester company.
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Post by LPL on Feb 3, 2010 21:31:22 GMT 1
LPL, I'm sorry, there is the odd train at weekends, which surprised me, they certainly didnt run them a few weeks ago. However, it is only at weekends. The midweek trains still run direct to Manchester airport instead of Liverpool. As I said in my last post the three cities mentioned have services tomorrow, Thursday. |
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Post by orange on Feb 3, 2010 23:11:10 GMT 1
Merseytravel do a good job despite the lack of funding. I wonder why they get don't get the funding? I wonder ... Perhaps you could explain what you mean by this criptic statement. I also believe that given the level of funding, Merseytravel do a good job. |
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Post by Maddog on Feb 3, 2010 23:23:22 GMT 1
Having to deal with this shower at a personal level over a number of years - post deregulation I wouldn't put or trust them to be in charge of my Grandsons train set.
The whole quango is really rotten to the core - that's as far as I am prepared to go on this subject.
You have your opinions and I have my very own experiences.
Some staff at Merseytravel are good and real 'transport people'. There are others as you edge towards the board are part of 'The North End Mafia'. More deals done in an alehouse facing The Atlantic Towers than I care to remember.
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