Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones has again highlighted the need for the town to have a fast off peak service on the West Coast Main Line. In a question to the Transport Secretary, Marcus asked if the Government had any plans to make it easier for rail franchisees to make changes.

In his capacity as Member of Parliament for Nuneaton Marcus has an interest in the national railway system and in the provision and efficiency of rail services offered to people living in the town. The loss of fast off-peak services has adversely affected the travel plans of commuters from Nuneaton who now have to travel by car or bus to reach the fast services at Rugby or Coventry, which has had a knock-on effect to Nuneaton’s economic regeneration.

Marcus was pleased to receive assurances from the Transport Secretary that the Government will be relaxing the rigid timetabling and specifications imposed in the past, making it possible for an off-peak fast train service to stop at Nuneaton.

Commenting on the situation, Marcus said: “Nuneaton services have been greatly disadvantaged since timetable changes were introduced in 2008 due largely, in my view, to politically-driven micromanagement. The Government needs to provide the opportunity for there to be greater competition for services from Nuneaton station which will hopefully lead to our town having fast off-speak services. I was therefore pleased when Mr Hammond mentioned that the Government fully intends to relax the current timetabling specifications.”

He added: “We should not underestimate the impact the loss of a fast off-peak service has on efforts to improve the economic development potential of Nuneaton, particularly in terms of attracting new business. This is an issue I will continue to raise as an MP as I believe it is of fundamental importance that our town has far greater train services than we currently do.”