Plans to add Manchester to Bristol service at Worcestershire Parkway

It was agreed that discussions to add a Manchester to Bristol service at Worcestershire Parkway would be reopened once the station had proven itself as a success.

Worcestershire Parkway then opened in 2019 and, despite facing reduced demand during the pandemic, the station is now operating ahead of projections.

Harriett Baldwin MP has voiced her support for the efforts being made to add extra train services at Worcestershire Parkway.

Mrs Baldwin met with representatives from Network Rail and train operating companies to discuss adding more services, including a Manchester to Bristol train.

The West Worcestershire MP said: “Worcestershire Parkway has been a great success story with high passenger numbers and strong projections for future growth.

“The new timetable is promising faster trains to London, with the removal of the Slough stop, and I am pleased to see the rail industry becoming more supportive of local rail users travelling to and from the South East.”

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Worcestershire Parkway (Image: NQ)

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Discussions for its expansion are now underway with Mrs Baldwin meeting with Great Western Railway’s Matt Cambourne, Cross Country’s Richard Gibson and Cotswold Line Promotion Group chairman John Ellis on Thursday (March 30).

“When the station was first discussed, I met with Cross Country to urge them to plan for extra services stopping there beyond the current service between Nottingham and Cardiff,” said Mrs Baldwin.

“I am hoping that the Cross Country service between Manchester and Bristol will stop at Worcestershire Parkway as originally proposed before the pandemic, and I have offered my support as these negotiations take place.

“With its central location and extensive parking, I am confident that it will play a much larger role helping people to come to Worcestershire and allowing more people to access the whole of the country by train.”