Local MP Mark Pawsey has welcomed the announcement that Virgin Trains will serve Rugby with an extra 35 services, which amounts to 16,400 additional seats per week, as it prepares to launch additional direct services between London and Blackpool next month.
Launching on Monday, 21st May, the new services will strengthen Rugby’s connections with London six days a week (Monday – Saturday) and offer a direct service to Blackpool using Virgin’s electric Pendolino trains.
The extra weekday services will three additional northbound services between Blackpool and London and three additional southbound services. All will call at Rugby, as well as Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston.
In addition, Rugby will benefit from connections to Blackpool and London on Saturdays with five services (two northbound; and three southbound), providing more opportunities at the weekend – whether it’s spending a day or two in London or visiting Blackpool’s three new major attractions – ICON (the UK’s first double launch rollercoaster); elephant house at Blackpool Zoo; and Marvel Comics super-heroes attraction at Madame Tussauds.
The boost in services, which will generate an additional 16,400 seats a week, follows the completion of Network Rail’s work to electrify the line between Blackpool and Preston and lengthen the platforms at Blackpool North station to allow longer Pendolino trains to travel to and from the resort.
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby, on hearing Virgin’s announcement, said:
“One of Rugby’s greatest strengths is our excellent rail service and in particular our 50-minute journey time to London Euston. However, many of my constituents have asked me about improving travel to the Northwest. I am very pleased that Virgin Trains are continuing to invest in Rugby by bringing these new services which will create greater opportunities for local residents, as well as broaden the town’s tourist appeal for those travelling from further afield.”
Peter Broadley, Executive Director of Customer, Operations and Safety at Virgin Trains on the west coast, added:
“At Virgin Trains we’re really pleased to be strengthening our services at Rugby – providing the town with more frequent connections between London and the North West. We have been proud to play our part in transforming Rugby’s connectivity over the last 20 years and we’re sure our additional services will provide increased opportunities and be a welcome boost to the local community. We look forward to welcoming people on-board the new services when they launch next month.”