Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones has welcomed an announcement by the Department for Transport of 40 new carriages for the London Midland network from 2013. This will significantly increase capacity, and also reduce journey times as the newer trains will have a higher maximum speed.
Current London Midland services travel at a maximum speed of 100 mph, but the train operator will modify some of their existing fleet to run at 110 mph – the maximum speed of the new-build trains - creating faster peak and off-peak services into London Euston. Not only will this mean reduced overcrowding but also the extra speed will help shave up to 34 minutes off existing London Euston to Nuneaton evening peak services.
The changes will be implemented in two stages, with off-peak services being improved from December 2012 and other services seeing much reduced journey times from 2014, with up to 16 minutes being taken off a journey time between Nuneaton and London Euston for a morning peak service. In addition, London Midland aims to introduce an extra 1646 service from December 2012.
Commenting, Marcus said: “Today’s announcement is excellent news for commuters and rail users in Nuneaton. This investment by the Government in new carriages will boost capacity, reduce journey times and reduce crowding. As many local people will know, the London Midland network is one of the busiest routes in the country, so this will provide real benefit to passengers. It is great news that journey times to London are coming down and that there will be more regular services.
“Despite this fantastic news, I still fully intend to pursue ensuring that Nuneaton gets more fast off-peak services which will greatly help Nuneaton’s economy. These improved train services, together with the Coventry/Nuneaton rail upgrade and the A5 improvements, shows that the Government is investing in Nuneaton.”
Adding, Rail Minister, Theresa Villiers MP said: “This is great news for passengers who will get faster, longer trains and more seats. Increasing capacity on some of the busiest routes in the country is a key part of the major programme of rail capacity expansion we have promised to deliver. It is a vital way of responding to passenger concerns about crowding and providing an important stimulus to economic growth.
“As rail travel becomes more popular operators must be able to meet growing demand and these new carriages will enable existing trains to be lengthened. These new trains will also run faster, which means extra train slots will come free, so that London Midland can fit more services into the timetable.”