Posted: Wed 15th Aug 2012

Fears For Wrexham to London Rail Services Following West Coast Take Over

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Aug 15th, 2012

A takeover of the West Coast Mainline rail franchise could spell the end of Wrexham to London services.

That was the warning from the rail union RMT after it was confirmed this morning that First Group have won the West Coast InterCity franchise from Virgin.

Dave Bithell RMT Branch Secretary and Leader of the Wrexham Independent Group on Wrexham Council said: “This could spell the end of the Wrexham – London service if these cuts are made. We saw Wrexham and Shropshire disappear overnight and with 20% cuts planned no doubt the less profitable routes will be the ones that suffer.”

However, First Group has said it will keep the current Wrexham to London Euston service which sees one train going each way per day.

The West Coast Mainline encompasses a large part of the UK including London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and central Scotland.

First Group have said that they will offer “substantial improvements” in the quality and frequency of services, however RMT says there is a £1bn black hole in their bid and that they fear job and service cuts.

RMT are now planning to ballot on industrial action with some reports suggesting that shops and catering will be removed from trains on the new services.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “First Group and the Government should be left in no doubt this morning that RMT will mount a massive industrial, political and public campaign to stop any attacks on our members jobs and the services that they provide to the travelling public as a result of this franchise award. We are already preparing a ballot for industrial action in light of the threatened job cuts.

“RMT will work with MP’s and communities along the West Coast route to stop the savage assault on staffing levels and budgets that we expect to be at the core of this new franchise arrangement.”

FirstGroup are believed to have outbid Virgin’s £4.8bn on the West Coast line, with an offer of around £5.5bn to operate the 14-year franchise which will begin in December.

Sir Richard Branson described Virgin’s loss of the franchise as “disappointing news”.



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