Llandudno to Manchester airport-link trains hitch

Oct 29 2009 by Owen R Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

PLANS to run trains from Llandudno to Manchester Airport could hit the skids because of rail companies in England.

Arriva Trains Wales wants to improve services with two direct trains from Llandudno to the airport – instead of making passengers change in Manchester.

But North West train firms Northern Rail and First Trans Pennine Express have concerns the extra services could clog up busy rail routes around Manchester.

The Office of the Rail Regulator will decide whether the services will get the go-ahead in the coming weeks.

Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is joining the row with a letter of support backing Arriva Trains Wales.

The threat to Llandudno train services was drawn to the attention of AM Mr Jones by Cllr Philip Evans, Chairman of Llandudno Town Council’s Public Transport Committee.

Cllr Evans said: “I am amazed these other operators should seek to inhibit the limited competition at the expense of North Wales’ passengers.”

Aberconwy AM Gareth Jones said: “Manchester is the major regional international airport for passengers from the north of Wales and a direct rail service from Llandudno will be of major benefit, not just in terms of convenience, but also as a viable alternative to using the car.

“It is particularly galling that the operators concerned don’t even serve Wales and I very much hope that the Rail Regulator will overrule these objections from English train operators.

Arriva Trains Wales said it had made a case for new services and that they now awaited the decision from the rail regulator.

Northern Rail said it had raised concerns over increasing the services on that route.

A spokeswoman said: “We have raised concerns and are seeking clarification. We are concerned that if the route becomes congested, delays by any operator could have a knock-on effect on other services.”