Direct trains to Birmingham and Manchester from Stone station could be on the way as part of Network Rail plans.
Network Rail is currently consulting on its latest West Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS). This sets out the priorities for rail investment on the line over the next 10 years to meet increased demand for both passengers and freight.
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Network Rail proposes re-routing the London Midland London Euston to Crewe service to miss out Stone. However, an existing Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent service would be extended to Birmingham New Street, calling at Stone, Stafford and Wolverhampton.
Find out more about the West Coast Main Line RUS and have your say here.
What do you think is more important? A direct service to London, or to Manchester and Birmingham? Leave your thoughts below.
11 comments
Stephen Hicks
I think the current LM timetable shows a last train back from Euston as 18:05 in the week and 18:46 Saturday.
It would be a shame not to have the service but Birmingham and Manchester would be good – especially if concert times were factored in as needed.
Andrew Smithers
The Northern trains from Manc are of a poorer standard than
LM ones – all the seats are broken. All stations from Stone to Manc would take ages. I can get to Manc from Stone faster than my partner who lives in Congleton.
jvictor7
Thanks Andrew. Interesting point you raise there
Richard Stevens
The new proposals are the best of both worlds.
Firstly we would get back the service we originally lost and which everyone wanted – a semi fast hourly service between Manchester and Birmingham with the promise of trains until much later in the evening. Great for commuters, shoppers and visitors.
Secondly, the London Euston service would still be available by a change at Stafford.
And thirdly there is a proposal to extend the Derby/ Crewe service up to Manchester Airport – so air travellers from Stone need make a single change at Stoke.
I don’t do Twitter so haven’t seen those comments. All I can say is that everyone I’ve spoken to is delighted with the proposals. Alll credit to the North Staffs Rail Promotion Group which never gave up campaigning for the Birmingham/ Manchester service. It’s what we always wanted!
Jamie
Later trains back from Birmingham and Manchester would be superb! Agree with your comments completely
Andrew
The way the timetables are at the moment though, it’s only a 5 minute wait at Stafford/Stoke for the direct Manchester and Birmingham trains running behind the London Midland ones and the journey will be quicker now as they’re not ones the stop at all stations along the way like they would be from Stone.
Ideally for me I’d like the London trains to run later as you’d then be able to actually use them for a day trip there (the last ones back start at half 3 I think currently, making that impossible) and it would give an alternative way back from Stafford after 6 that isn’t the 101 bus.
Jamie
I didn’t realise the last train back from London (direct to Stone) left the capital at 3.30 in the afternoon :/ So the majority of people who travel to London from Stone would get the Virgin train from Stafford I presume?
Speaking purely selfishly, I travel a lot more to Birmingham and Manchester than I do London. No decision from Network Rail will be able to please everyone
simon marson
Brilliant news, we need trains to manchester and Brum more than London
jamie7victor
Hi Simon. I think I agree with you, although some people have posted their preference for a direct London train on Twitter. I suppose you’ll never please everyone. I do feel, though, that direct Manc/Brum trains would be very popular
Alban
We certainly do require a Manchester/Birmingham service to stop at Stone, providing it runs sufficiently late to return from concerts in either city. I shall be sorry if the London Midland service to London ceases because it offers a cheaper route to London than Virgin.