"We need direct services to places other than London" - Your reaction as Grand Central scraps Blackpool to London service

Following yesterday's news that rail operator Grand Central is scraping the planned Blackpool to London service, locals have been having their say about the decision.
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Bosses at the rail operator say the route is no longer viable because of economic uncertainty and changed travel patterns due to the pandemic.

Since the announcement Avanti West Coast has said it will continue to run its services between Blackpool and London despite rival Grand Central axing plans to run the route.

Read More
Avanti remains 'committed' with Blackpool to London route after Grand Central ax...
Your reaction as Grand Central scraps Blackpool to London serviceYour reaction as Grand Central scraps Blackpool to London service
Your reaction as Grand Central scraps Blackpool to London service
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"This is a disgrace and another example of the North/south divide. I think the decision stems more from Southerners not wanting to come to the North rather than Northerners not wanting to visit the Capital. We always seem to be treated as the poor relations."

cazbee1102 via email

"Thing is though, how many people in Blackpool actually used or wanted a direct service to London? I've yet to meet anyone in Blackpool who works in London, or needed to go there regularly."

John Whitehouse, Facebook

"It is a let down and a pathetic decision. It was hard work getting the service restarted by virgin and it was excellent. Now it is sad that they are using this as an excuse to again cut the service! The rail service is important to this town, which only ever had help from the EU. I think we should petition to move the border between Scotland and England to the Ribbke or perhaps Shrewsbury."

Gina Frances via email

"Avanti run a direct service to London still so no need for another company to start doing it as well?"

Robyn Djuritschek

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"Not surprised, but quite upset, about scrapping the Blackpool to Euston service. Shame but I don't suppose it was economically viable."

Janice Bentley via email

"We need direct services to places other than London. Scotland and the North East spring to mind!"

Dave-Mo Wood

"Some 20 odd years ago I could go from Nuneaton to Blackpool non stop but that stopped. In February this year trains at coventry were suspended due to some incident and I had to go to Rugby then through to Blackpool direct. British Rail can do London to Blackpool if they were committed. It's a shame for disabled too if they have to use the underground lift to change platforms at Preston. The government wants to shift the power house away from London to help the north invest and regenerate. So why cant others share the vision.

Blackpool needs lots of help not just tourism as a lot of streets at the back of the promenade are tired empty and run down. Some of the hotels are desperate for help too and need a proper industry standard."

Tony Kelly via email

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"I don’t see the big deal when there have been London services for years through virgin (yes I know they don’t run the franchise now) and now Avanti from Preston, there are a number of hourly services from Blackpool north and south to connect to it, I’ve boarded London services from Blackpool a number of times and they are rarely used."

Daniel Burgess

"It’s disgraceful, what reason has been given. It would generate more business, more people from the south would visit, my kids hate the car journey from the South to Blackpool and I’m sure many more people are put off by it, or having to change trains."

Gloria Hunter via email

"What a shame. It was the easiest way for my Mum to get to Rugby to see Family & friends."

Rick Palmer

"We don’t need a direct London or Scotland route. We need good connections & sensible prices. Look up Lancaster to Edinburgh, then compare with Preston to Edinburgh...."

Andy Richardson