It is of great concern to Anne Marie that Cross Country Trains is proposing to cut the services to Teignmouth and Dawlish from Manchester/Birmingham.
‘I am very concerned in relation to the proposals put forward by Arriva/Cross Country Trains. It is also of concern that these proposals were not made transparent and lay in part of a 50 page consultation document. It is also of note that no engagement has been undertaken with the Members of Parliament who constituencies this will adversely impact upon. This is not acceptable especially given the timing of such an announcement, and also the manner in which it has been communicated via the company website.
As I understand it from December 2017, Teignmouth and Dawlish will potentially lose two trains each weekday and also there will be no direct link between Manchester/Birmingham to Dawlish or Teignmouth during the week. It is also of considerable note that Torquay and Paignton will, under these proposals be left with only one weekday train to Manchester and Birmingham. Newton Abbot will also lose three weekday trains to Birmingham (two of which I understand continue to Manchester). I have yet to see any mention of any weekend changes.
This could of course have an impact on visitors to the area as a whole, including our much needed and invaluable tourist visitors. It does seem to me that to take away such services cannot be in the interest of mine, or other affected constituencies in the region. This is time when we need to be promoting our tourist industry, not negatively impacting upon it. I shall be raising these issues with Cross Country Trains as matter of urgency, and shall also be contacting the Secretary of State for Transport to voice these concerns’