Train services are set for a major boost at Motherwell after Avanti West Coast received approval for their plans for a timetable increase on its Scotland – England route.
The change will see Avanti West Coast serve Motherwell with an additional 96 train services a week.
The timetable changes means the operator has the capacity to more than double the number of services calling at Motherwell from 8 to 20.
Weekend train services will also be increased, with more than six times more trains on a Sunday (27) and more than three times more services on a Saturday (19).
This increase means that there will be half of the hourly Glasgow – London trains and two of the hourly Glasgow to Birmingham trains can stop at Motherwell.
The operator hopes it will improve connections and encourage more people to choose the train over plane journeys.
Avanti West Coast has also told RailAdvent that it is looking to introduce some of the additional stops from December, depending on the COVID19 pandemic.
UK Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “It's fantastic that Motherwell will be a major port of call for Avanti West Coast, with a significant increase in the number of services helping improve connectivity, boost the economy and encouraging people to use a greener, more sustainable form of travel between our two nations.
“As we build back better from the pandemic, boosting cross-border connections will be key to helping support, sustain and strengthen our communities as we level up the whole of the UK.”
Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland's Director of Rail, said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Avanti West Coast to enable a future increase in their cross-border services calling at Motherwell station.
“Our investment in customer facilities and services at this key station increases opportunities for commuters, business users and tourism alike. It also underpins a fast-growing transport hub served by not only ScotRail, Avanti West Coast and other cross-border operators, but also by local operators such as bus.
“At the right time in the future, this additional service provision will enable operators to drive market growth in joined-up journeys. With that we can generate a healthy future for rail across the West Coast and beyond as we seek to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Councillor Paul Kelly, deputy leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “I am very pleased that Avanti West Coast is backing Motherwell as one of the best-connected places in the country, which fits with the council's vision for the local and regional economy.
“Our current and planned investments in Motherwell and the wider area will bring huge benefits to people who live, work and invest in North Lanarkshire. Upgrading Motherwell's status as a major rail calling point is a critical part of our vision and Avanti West Coast's decision to invest here with such a significant increase in service is very welcome news indeed.”
Gus Dunster, Executive Director of Operations at Avanti West Coast, said: “We are excited to make Motherwell one of the best-connected places in Scotland, as we work with Network Rail to deliver a major uplift to services to and from the town.
“At Avanti West Coast we want to connect people and places to opportunity and with Motherwell set to become a major calling point on our route we're sure it will boost Scotland's regional economy, improve local and cross-border connectivity and encourage more passengers to make the switch from plane to train. We look forward to continuing to play our part in making Motherwell a key transport hub.”
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: “This increase in Avanti West Coast services through Motherwell will open up long-distance rail to new customers and, coupled with the redevelopment of the station, shows the rail industry's commitment to investing in the town. Rail has a vital role to play in helping the country go greener and meet its decarbonisation targets and these additional services offer passengers greater choice – keeping the train competitive with air travel to London and Birmingham.”
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Good to see that Avanti West Coast trains can now serve Motherwell. Wonderful.
What about Lockerbie. As ScotRail manages the station but none of their trains stop there. Unless ScotRail does introduce the Glasgow Central-Carlisle service that would serve Lockerbie and other stations on the West Coast Main Line that is served by ScotRail.