Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell is encouraging local people to take part in the consultation on the future of rail services currently operated by Transpennine between Manchester Airport and Glasgow and Edinburgh, many of which stop at Lockerbie. Mr Mundell, who has long campaigned for improvements to the timetable at Lockerbie, says the recent introduction of new services is welcome, but that more needs to be done, as well as reliability and overcrowding tackled.
Mr Mundell said: "It is vital we continue to improve rail services from Lockerbie. My priority remains a direct service getting into Edinburgh before 9 am. Whilst it is welcome that Lockerbie passengers can now get an earlier train to the capital, the change at Carstairs and the unreliability of the service are not. A direct train must remain the objective along with evening services, particularly at the weekend that would allow local people to enjoy entertainment and other facilities in Edinburgh and Glasgow without having to drive.
"I know there is also demand for a 12.30 service to Edinburgh and other people may have identified other specific gaps in the timetable. That's why I encourage everyone with an interest to take part in the consultation on the future shape of the franchise Transpennine currently operate, so as to ensure we have the widest possible support for service improvements when the new franchise is let.
"Reliability and overcrowding issues also have to be tackled. There are still too many people having to stand between Edinburgh, in particular, and Lockerbie and too many services running late or being cancelled. It's not good enough, and whist there may have been teething troubles with new rolling stock, it's time it was sorted out and longer trains made available on all the peak services, such as just now during the Edinburgh Festival.
“These are all points I will be making in my submission to the consultation and encourage everyone else with a view to do likewise. Details of the consultation are set out at www.gov.uk/government/ consultations/future-of-northern-and-transpennine-express-rail-franchises.”