Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton, has expressed his disappointment at the decision of Virgin Trains not to include a stop at Nuneaton in its proposed service to Blackpool.

Marcus, who has been a long-time campaigner for better off-peak fast rail services for Nuneaton, was told earlier this year by Virgin in an email that their new service would include extra off-peak stops at Nuneaton.

Virgin Trains have now decided to proceed with their application to Network Rail for a new Blackpool service but have decided not to include further stops at Nuneaton.

Since hearing the news, Marcus has held discussions with Virgin, who have looked at the possibility of stopping other fast off-peak services at Nuneaton but as yet have failed to give their full support to Nuneaton passengers. Marcus has also held further discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport to see what more can be done to reinstate vital off-peak fast services to Nuneaton.

Commenting, Marcus said: “I am extremely disappointed with the Virgin decision. Since 2008, when the previous Labour Government allowed Virgin to strip away most of our fast off-peak services, it has been an uphill battle to get services reinstated.

“When Virgin told me that they were proposing to include Nuneaton in a new service to Blackpool, I thought we were finally on the right track. To now hear that Nuneaton will not be included in the Blackpool service is a blow, but I am determined to fight on to try and secure these vital services and will continue to be a thorn in the side of both Virgin and the Secretary of State for Transport.

“I firmly believe that whilst we have extremely good peak services from Virgin and off-peak services run by London Midland, there are nearly a million passengers a year using Nuneaton’s station and there is no doubt that extra demand for more fast services exists, which are vital if we are to attract  new businesses and jobs for our area.”