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Post by wirewiper on Dec 1, 2022 13:19:22 GMT
Grand Union Trains, a new open-access operator, has been given the go-ahead to operate a new service between London and West Wales. Starting from London Paddington, trains will operate fast to Bristol Parkway, and will then call at a number of stations in South and West Wales to Carmarthen - including options to call at two that have yet to be built. The first is Cardiff Parkway, which will be situated between Newport and Cardiff Central and is expected to open during 2024. The second is a new Parkway station which is planned for the former steelworks site at Felinfoel, north of Swansea. Grand Union Trains will by-pass Swansea itself, saving around twenty minutes on journeys to and from Llanelli and Carmarthen. Trains would also call at Severn Tunnel Junction, Newport and Cardiff Central. Grand Union Trains has permission to run five services each way daily. The company expects to start operations in early 2025, with timings and paths confirmed in the December 2024 timetable changes, and is to purchase a fleet of bi-mode (diesel and electric) trains. Permission was granted by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) despite an objection by Network Rail that the paths were not available, and follows the rejection of a previous application in 2021. Grand Union Trains is also applying to run trains between Stirling and London via the West Coast main Line. A previous proposal to run services between Blackpool and London was unsuccessful. www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/new-london-to-wales-train-service-gets-permission-to-start-59161/
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