Train operator Avanti West Coast has launched a bid to bring back a crucial weekday lunchtime train service connecting Blackpool to London, following a wave of criticism over recent cuts.
Hope for Commuters as New Timetable Proposed
The move offers a glimmer of hope for commuters from the seaside resort who depend on direct rail links to the capital. The proposed change would see the 12:52 service from Blackpool North to London reinstated when new timetables come into effect in May 2026.
However, Avanti has been quick to stress that the service, which appeared on a draft timetable spotted by an eagle-eyed rail user, has not yet received official approval. A spokesperson confirmed the operator had submitted a bid for extra services as part of the standard timetable change process, but these remain subject to sign-off by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Controversial Cuts Blamed on Capacity Issues
This development comes after Avanti confirmed last month that its four daily weekday services to and from Blackpool were being slashed to just two, a change that took effect in early December. The decision provoked anger from residents and business leaders, who warned it would damage the town's visitor economy.
Avanti stated the reduction was not its choice, but a directive from the ORR. The regulator declined to grant access rights for three weekday services, citing serious capacity issues on the congested southern section of the West Coast Main Line, a problem Network Rail has flagged since 2020. Reliability concerns with Avanti's service were also a factor in the ORR's decision, which the train operator said left it "frustrated".
Political Pressure and Economic Concerns
The issue has escalated to the highest levels of government. Blackpool South MP Chris Webb raised the scale of the cuts in the House of Commons, warning they risked damaging the town's tourism-based economy and could have a knock-on effect on jobs and visitor numbers.
Mr Webb is now scheduled to meet Transport Minister Lord Peter Hendy to discuss the matter, following questions put to the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander. The MP emphasised that the loss of direct rail services poses a significant threat to a town already grappling with challenges linked to deprivation.
While the appearance of the lunchtime service on the draft May timetable is a positive sign, passengers are being advised that the return of the 12:52 to London is not yet guaranteed. All eyes are now on the ORR to see if it will grant the necessary approvals to restore this vital link.
