picture: Phil Marsh
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A Great Western Railway Intercity Express has made a surprise appearance on East West Rail, as there continues to be no firm opening date for the restored line between Bicester and Bletchley, which was completed well over a year ago.
People in Winslow have been protesting at the continuing lack of trains at their new station, which is being guarded by security officers at an alleged cost of £1 million a year.
Yesterday’s journey by the IEP was said to have been a ‘proving run’ in preparation for a ten-day blockade on the Great Western Main Line near Slough in December, and the train ran from London Paddington to London Euston via Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central, where it reversed so that it could continue to London.
However, the test train called at each EWR station, including Winslow, where station despatch procedures were carried out.
GWR’s ambition to provide regular trains between Bristol and Oxford could cause congestion at Oxford, which would be relieved if the trains continued via EWR to Milton Keynes.
Meanwhile, although there is still no confirmation of a launch date for EWR trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes, Chiltern Railways has been named as the operator and has staged test runs, while the Chiltern Railways brand has started to appear at stations like Winslow.
The problem appears to be the proposal to run the trains as driver-only, which has ignited a dispute with the RMT.
The union’s general secretary Eddie Dempsey says: ‘A guaranteed safety critical second person onboard a train service is essential for performing a range of functions and responding appropriately to potentially dangerous incidents. It is important we establish with any employer an agreed method of dispatching the train with the necessary safety critical skills and duties incorporated within the role of the second onboard crew member.’
Chiltern Railways has issued a statement in response to a request from the Milton Keynes Citizen, which said: ‘Since being announced as operator of the first stage of East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes in March, we have been working at pace to get everything ready for services to begin on the new line.
‘Significant progress has been made, including the hiring and training of 44 train drivers, the creation of a new colleague facility at Bletchley, and the fit out of a new modern station with step-free access at Winslow.
‘However, there is work still to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and on the operating arrangements for the new route. We are continuing our work on these areas in conjunction with industry colleagues and will provide updates as soon as we are able to.’
Winslow town councillor Diana Blamires told the BBC: ‘Now we are told there are no trains and the rolling stock has gone elsewhere. And next the platforms are going to have to be rebuilt to make them longer because of Universal Studios coming to the area.’
The Universal Studios plan for a new theme park at Wixams, south of Bedford, will mean changes to East West Rail plans, because the park will be served by stations at Wixams on the Midland Main Line and at Kempston Hardwick on EWR, and longer trains will be needed.
Readers’ comments
We have waited for this service to be restored for 58 years. A lot of money spent and nothing to show foi it. Someone needs to extract the digit and get it up and running. If Chiltern can't do it, give the job to Great Western or some other operator who can.
David Hartwell, Milton Keynes
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