Llandudno to London Virgin rail link is lost

Jan 1 2009 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

train

LLANDUDNO has lost its link to London following a decision by a major train operator to revamp its Welsh rail services for 2009.

Virgin Trains confirmed on Monday that it would permanently drop its daily service to London Euston later this month as part of its new timetable, citing a lack of interest from the town’s residents as the reason.

“There are winners and losers with the new timetable, and unfortunately Llandudno is one of the losers, but it is important to point out that lots of other locations in North Wales are going to benefit from much improved services,” said Philippa Richardson of Virgin Trains.

“Llandudno Junction will see an extra service, and passengers in Llandudno will still be able to use the Arriva Trains Wales service to connect with it. Although a lack of passenger take-up means we have had to drop the direct service, overall the region is going to benefit from an improvement in services.”

Virgin has been running a daily service from Llandudno to the capital since 2004 as one of its five daily services in North Wales, but announced it would be shelved with the introduction of its 2009 timetable on January 26.

The move comes as a blow to rail passengers in North Wales who benefited in 2008 from a new service linking Wrexham to London from new operator Wrexham and Shropshire, as well as an express service between Holyhead and Cardiff by Arriva.

Llandudno resident Jordan Elbro, who is originally from London, said the decision would make it more difficult to see friends and family.

“It’s terrible news, especially given how long it took us to get this service in the first place,” she said.

Tudno county councillor Philip Evans was saddened by the decision but praised Virgin and Arriva Trains for helping improve services elsewhere.

“People are quick to knock the train companies but both deserve a pat on the back. It’s regrettable that the direct service to London has been lost but there are now more services in and out of the town as a whole,” he said.

“It’s a really good step forward for Llandudno and definitely not bad news.”

Virgin Trains also said the removal of its London to Llandudno service was not linked to a forthcoming service between Wrexham and London, which also uses Voyager trains.

david simister