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Rail plans still on track despite decision delay
THE dream of running express trains between Wearside and London will not be derailed by a delay, the man behind the plan has pledged.
Grand Central Trains had been hoping for a decision on whether it will be allowed to run four trains a day from the city to the capital next month.
But transport bosses won't be making a decision until August, possibly even September, it emerged today.
Ian Yeowart, the managing director of the York-based company, says the delay will not put him off his dream of running the trains, but it might mean the launch date will be in 2006 if his plan gets the green light.
He has an application with the Government's Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), which has the final say on whether Grand Central can run the trains.
Ideally, Mr Yeowart was hoping for a decision from the office in July so he could start running the trains in December.
He said the delay was because of the amount of paperwork the ORR was having to deal with in connection with Grand Central's application. They are still waiting for a copy of the Strategic Rail Authority's response.
The authority is another department of Government which deals with the operation of the railway system, and it has reservations about Grand Central's plans, which has disappointed Mr Yeowart.
"We had some very meaningful discussions with the authority, but despite the fact that they can see the benefits they believe current franchises should take preference," he said.
"We'd like them to acknowledge that the people of Durham and Wearside deserve this service but it seems they're tied to dogma."
About the delay Mr Yeowart said: "We've worked through the process and we feel we've got a very robust case.
"There is going to be a slight delay which will depend on the decision-making process but the thing for us to focus on is getting the right decision.
"It's better to do that and get the right decision in three or four months' time rather than get the wrong decision.
"It's been a long haul for us and we're determined to see it through to a positive conclusion."
More than 2,000 people have signed the Echo's Back on Track petition forms to support Grand Central and you can still sign the forms in any Echo office and many newsagents.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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