First high-speed rail service from Rochdale to London in 25 years secures political support

MPs, local council leaders, businesses and academics gathered in Manchester to show their support for a new high-speed rail service linking Rochdale with London for the first time in 25 years, in a boost to local jobs, growth and connectivity in the North West.

Lumo, which already delivers more reliable, cheaper train travel along the East Coast Main Line, plans to run six return trains a day between Rochdale, Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay to London Euston from 2027, providing 1.6 million more people in Greater Manchester with a direct link to the capital.

The three-hour service will knock 2hrs 15mins off current journey times by car, secure important emissions savings and create at least 124 direct jobs along the route.

Regional leaders, including Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, David Baines, MP for St Helens, and Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, Deputy Leader of St Helens Borough Council, gathered on Friday 13 December to discuss the plans and the benefits the services will deliver.

Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, said: “The last direct rail link between my constituency and the nation’s capital was in 2000 and its restoration is long overdue.

 

 

“It would provide new jobs locally in the rail industry, boost our plans for regeneration and open up huge opportunities for business and leisure travel.

"Having the word ‘Rochdale’ on the departure board at Euston would also help us to promote all the assets of our town and unlock the potential we have for tackling regional inequalities."

Chris Fletcher, director of policy at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce represents 4,500 businesses across the region.

"This transformative service proposal by Lumo aligns with the thriving business community, particularly in the rapidly growing tech, media and creative sectors, as well as the robust academic ecosystem in Salford and Manchester.

"Strong transport connections are key to productivity, enabling businesses to access the capital more effectively and attract vital investment to Greater Manchester.”

Paul Ormerod, chair of Atom Valley Greater Manchester Mayoral Development Zone, said: “Atom Valley is a first-of-its kind mega-cluster of innovation across Greater Manchester and has the potential to provide 20,000 new jobs and 7,000 new homes through public-private partnership. A strong transport offering is pivotal to these plans, and we look forward to Lumo’s proposed direct rail service between Rochdale and the capital so we can attract productivity and connectivity where it is greatly needed.”

Lumo has applied to the rail regulator to launch its services in 2027. Last week, the Prime Minister announced that the all-electric rail operator had placed a £500 million order for British-built trains, in a major boost to manufacturing in the Northeast at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe plant.