Business leaders are up in arms about service reductions on a key railway link into Staffordshire.
Cutbacks by East Midlands Railway have resulted in several gaps in the regular journeys on the North Staffordshire Line between Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent, Uttoxeter and Derby.
The train operator’s summer timetable consolidates the slimmed-down schedule which was introduced during the Covid pandemic.
With rail users across the region expressing concern, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has written to East Midlands Railway and the Department for Transport calling for a restoration of the full service.
The Chamber is expressing “dismay” that the missing hourly services out of Crewe (0810, 1310 and 1810) and out of Derby (0648, 1148 and 1640) may vanish forever.
East Midlands Railway say discussions about their service levels in the forthcoming winter timetable are “ongoing” with the Department for Transport – but they point to costings along with operational factors as an influence on any decision.
The Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce letter to the rail operator states: “We see this line as a key transport artery, connecting the west and east of our region. It will be a critical link between North Staffordshire and HS2 services when they eventually reach Crewe.
“A reduction in the rail timetable will create gaps during the day and will make rail a less appealing transport option for workers, students and leisure passengers.
“We would like to question why those specific services are being removed, particularly those at peak times of the day.”
A spokesman for East Midlands Railway said: “EMR and the rail industry continue to react to the changing railway landscape post-Covid and when considering the May 2023 timetable change looked at a number of factors.
“Train service amendments are continuously assessed across the network, however any changes remain subject to the allocation of the necessary funding, maintaining levels of performance (punctuality) and operational feasibility.”
Any businesses seeking to raise their concerns about the issue, or wishing to join Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Transport Forum, should contact Policy Adviser Declan Riddell on: [email protected]
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