Save Bedford’s Intercity Fast Trains

Mayor Dave Hodgson has slammed the Government's plans to scrap peak time intercity train services at Bedford, and called for people to have their say on the 'shocking' proposals.

The Government's plans to use slower, commuter-style trains to and from Corby instead of stopping the fast trains at Bedford and elsewhere would strip Bedford of the 37-minute link to London St Pancras. They would also mean no more peak-time trains to anywhere north of Kettering, such as Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.

The Government is running a public consultation on its plans, which closes on 11 October, and Mayor Dave is encouraging people to have their say in support of fast train services from Bedford.

Commenting, Mayor Dave said: "The Government's shocking plans to end peak time intercity train services at Bedford must be stopped.'

"Many local residents have made major decisions in their lives based on our rail services; decisions such as moving home or changing jobs. These changes would cause them huge disruption, and would harm our shared economic prospects.'

"The Council will be putting a powerful opposing case together, and I will be working with anyone and everyone I can to stop them going ahead.'

"Please have your say on the plans, and add your voice to the fight to save Bedford's Intercity Fast Trains."

You can read the consultation document, and find details of how to respond, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-east-midlands-rail-franchise

Mayor Dave was on BBC 3 Counties Radio earlier this week, making the arguments for why these proposals must not stand. You can listen here (scroll to 2:42:30): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p057x1rf