Richard Branson spoke at Euston Station and said in return for a longer franchise he would invest to improve the West Coast Line top speed and bring Preston, Crewe and Carlisle stations into the 21st century.
Taken at face value it sounds a good deal for all. The trains and their ambience have improved greatly since Virgin took over. The downside being that the fare to London from Preston is at a previously unimaginable level if you want to travel anytime. Travelling on a named train is a fairly reasonable £70 return but an anytime ticket is around £250 return. Not sure if the anytime ticket guarantees a seat either.
How much updating would be done at the station. It is a hybrid 19th century structure with a few 21st century glass bits, a wind tunnel with an antiquated announcement system. Will the update be a classic St Pancras or a standard 2009 glass design that will look old in 2019. Surely only the former will do.
Do we sympathise with Virgin. It appears the franchise arrangements are too rigid and inhibit change. Virgin want to lengthen their trains but had difficulty justifying it for the few years left, although it’s now in the 2012 plan along with an extended platform at Preston. Then there are debates about the track and finger pointing. I’d support Virgin owning the track as long as competition is able to use the track equitably. Despite Richard Bransons great public image he is a hard dealer and it needs careful handling.
I looked at the Virgin website and it says they are creating 469 new car parking places at Preston station. I noticed the new construction down the side of the station and wasn’t over-pleased as it obstructs what was quite a good view to the Park Hotel. Also it encourages traffic into the centre. On the other hand if it takes traffic off the motorway and onto the trains it has some good points.
If someone has some new money they need listening to.