Plans for new direct rail service between Rochdale and London have been backed by Rochdale’s MP Paul Waugh.
In a letter to the Office of Rail and Road, Mr Waugh has supported the bid submitted by operator Lumo, which is hoped to be running in 2027.
The new route would run through Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-Le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay, then run non-stop all the way to the capital.
It would give passengers an alternative to Avanti’s much-criticised service that runs between Manchester and London, without the inconvenience of crossing the city between Victoria and Piccadilly stations.
Mr Waugh said: ‘The last direct rail link between my constituency and the nation’s capital was in 2000 and its restoration is long overdue.
‘The benefits to Rochdale of the new six service-a-day link would be significant, both in terms of business and leisure travel. The direct link would provide not just new jobs locally in the rail industry but also boost our wider plans for economic, social and cultural regeneration.’
Up to six services a day are proposed to run from Rochdale to London Euston, with electric trains capable of running at 125mph on the main line.
Research from global sustainable development consultancy, Arup suggests this new route could provide £345m of economic benefits, of which Mr Waugh believes a significant amount would come to Rochdale.
‘This new rail link would help our local businesses, many of them family-run, while also attracting outside investors to our ‘Atom Valley’ plans for advanced manufacturing, with Kingsway Business Park hosting cutting edge research facilities.
‘The social benefits of a new link would be significant, opening up the horizons of our young people, from all ethnicities, while enhancing the two-way traffic with a capital that can too often feel remote from their daily lives. Our fabulous Rochdale Sixth Form College and Hopwood Hall further education college would benefit from the educational trips to and from London too.
‘The environmental benefits of this route speak for themselves too, with Britain’s first long-distance electric battery powered train. it would also reduce air pollution by offering a direct alternative to the many who feel forced to travel by car to and from London for business or leisure.
‘Finally, given the cancellation of HS2 between Manchester and London, this service would provide the much-needed extra capacity between the North West and the capital.’
A decision is expected on this application in the coming weeks.