| Open access Bristol - Oxford - Nottingham proposal dropped Posted by grahame at 11:21, 30th March 2026 |     |
From Rail Magazine
Plans for an open access service between Nottingham and Bristol Temple Meads have been dropped.
Consultancy firm SLC had proposed eight trains a day via East West Rail and Oxford, using the name Midland Central & Western Railway (MCWR).
However, the application has been withdrawn, with the expected introduction of Great Western Railway’s Oxford-Bristol services identified as a key factor.
GWR has applied to run two-hourly services six days a week, increasing to hourly in 2027. At present it runs two return trips on Saturdays.
Consultancy firm SLC had proposed eight trains a day via East West Rail and Oxford, using the name Midland Central & Western Railway (MCWR).
However, the application has been withdrawn, with the expected introduction of Great Western Railway’s Oxford-Bristol services identified as a key factor.
GWR has applied to run two-hourly services six days a week, increasing to hourly in 2027. At present it runs two return trips on Saturdays.
