Passengers travelling from Cardiff, Bristol, and Plymouth may soon experience longer journey times to London due to planned track adjustments, according to a recent announcement by Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood. The revelation suggests that all Great Western Railway services might call at Old Oak Common, a new station in West London. Even if this is not the case, passengers should anticipate a slight increase in travel duration due to the track realignment. Concerns have been raised by Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley about potential disparities between South West commuters and HS2 users once Old Oak Common is operational, linking the two lines.
During a session in Westminster Hall, Minister Greenwood clarified that the construction of Old Oak Common station aims to facilitate all Great Western Main Line and relief line services to stop at the station for future-proofing purposes. However, the specific trains that will call at the station and the timeline for implementation are still being determined. The Minister highlighted the necessity of the realignment of the Great Western Main Line to accommodate the new platforms, causing a minor increase in journey times for trains not scheduled to stop at the station.
Ms Greenwood further explained that additional travel time of four to seven minutes could be added for all trains passing through Paddington if they were to include a stop at Old Oak Common. In a Commons debate, MP Wrigley emphasised his stance against fast trains halting at the station and called for equitable benefits for the South West region. He expressed discontent over the potential impact on journey times, citing concerns about delays ranging from five to 15 minutes for trains on the GWR network to London and back.
On the other hand, Plaid Cymru representative Ann Davies voiced discontent with the allocation of resources, claiming that Wales is missing out on £4 billion in consequential funding from HS2. She urged the government to rectify this imbalance and ensure appropriate measures are in place to mitigate disruptions for Welsh passengers affected by the developments at Old Oak Common. The new station, set to be operational by 2028, will enhance connectivity between the Great Western and HS2 lines, as well as the Elizabeth line towards central London and Heathrow Airport.
Despite the anticipated travel disruptions during the construction phase, Ms Greenwood highlighted the strategic significance of Old Oak Common station in supporting the government’s growth initiatives. The station is envisaged as a vital hub, not only as a connectivity point for HS2 to Birmingham and the North but also as a focal point for work and housing development. The project aims to improve access to various services, including the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Airport, fostering better interconnectivity across the region.
As the plans for Old Oak Common station progress, stakeholders continue to evaluate and refine the proposed infrastructure developments to minimise adverse impacts on existing services. The ongoing discussions surrounding the project underscore the importance of balancing regional interests and ensuring that proposed enhancements align with broader transportation objectives. With stakeholders actively engaging in dialogue and review processes, the future implications of the station’s operations on travel routes and timings remain a topic of close scrutiny and deliberation.