Jack Brereton MP has welcomed new rail services introduced this week for people travelling to and from North Staffordshire. East Midlands Railway has extended its Crewe-Derby services to Nottingham and Newark, restoring direct services for the first time since 2007. This is the route that currently serves local stations at Kidsgrove, Longport, Stoke, Longton and Blythe Bridge.
Restoring the direct services to Nottingham and beyond has been something Jack has campaigned for since he was elected. This follows previous success in seeing newer trains with additional carriages introduced on the line.
Jack Brereton, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent South, said:
“After pushing for these changes for a number of years it fantastic and hugely welcome to finally see direct services to Nottingham and Newark. Having direct services will make it much easier for people wanting to travel further east who would have previously had to change at Derby.
“This complements the significant investment we have secured for Longton Station and our exciting proposals being developed to reopen a station at Meir. I will continue to fight for the further improvements we need to our local rail services in the future.”
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said:
“This new timetable represents an exciting new chapter for train services in the region and will bring significant benefits to the communities we serve. It has been an incredible team effort to put this timetable in place, especially during a period so heavily affected by Covid and that is why we are so proud to be able to launch this new timetable.
“It will enable better regional and intercity connectivity, helping people get to work and enjoy their leisure time, and boost our local economies at a time when it’s never been so important.”
Full details of all the changes to its timetable can be found on EMR’s website: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/may21
