Rail passengers from the South West face longer journeys to London due to track changes and new station plans
London: So, it looks like train journeys from Cardiff, Bristol, and Plymouth to London are about to get a bit longer. A government official just dropped the news that track adjustments are in the works. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood mentioned that all Great Western Railway services might have to stop at the new Old Oak Common station in West London. Even if that doesn’t happen, expect a slight increase in travel time because of the track realignment.
Some folks are not too happy about this. Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley is worried that commuters from the South West will feel like they’re getting the short end of the stick compared to HS2 users once Old Oak Common opens. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s Ann Davies called the whole plan “unjust” and is pushing for more investment in Welsh infrastructure to balance things out.
During a recent session in Westminster Hall, Greenwood explained that Old Oak Common is being built to allow all Great Western Main Line services to stop there. But she also said it’s too early to know exactly which trains will call at the station or when. It’s a work in progress.
She also mentioned that building the station means the Great Western Main Line will need to be realigned, which could add a few extra minutes to everyone’s journey, even for trains that don’t stop there. An additional four to seven minutes could be tacked on for trains coming in or out of Paddington if they stop at Old Oak Common.
Wrigley voiced his concerns in the Commons, saying fast trains shouldn’t have to stop there. He’s adamant that the South West should benefit from these changes, not just be an afterthought. He called the plan to have all trains stop at Old Oak Common “bizarre” and thinks it should be reconsidered.
Wrigley also pointed out that after six years of construction delays, adding more time to every train journey feels like a slap in the face. Meanwhile, the representative from Newton Abbot is urging the minister to focus on improving the line to Penzance and making sure the coast is resilient.
As for Wales, Davies claims they’re missing out on £4 billion in funding from HS2. She argues that Old Oak Common is just another example of how Wales is getting the short end of the stick. She’s calling for the government to change its approach and ensure Welsh passengers aren’t left in the lurch.
The new Old Oak Common station is set to be a major transport hub, connecting the Great Western and HS2 lines, as well as the Elizabeth line to central London and Heathrow. It’s expected to be finished by 2028, but there will be some travel disruptions this winter as services get rerouted.
Greenwood emphasized that Old Oak Common is key to the government’s growth plans. It’s not just about connecting to HS2; it’s also about creating access to jobs and housing, along with better links to other services.