SLOWER, more overcrowded trains and longer waits for connections could be the future for Silverlink commuters, when the major West Coast Main Line upgrade starts.
Members of the Abbey Flyer Users' Group (Abfly) fear Virgin Train's massive modernisation programme will mean Silverlink loses fast train slots between Watford and London.
Committee member Robert Bolt said: "As we understand it, Virgin will take all the fast paths.
"We have been hoping to get trains running all the way from St Albans to Euston.
"But that looks to be threatened by the planned West Coast Main Line upgrade.
"At the moment, Virgin and Silverlink share the fast paths with two each running each way.
"The other concern is how many Virgin trains will stop at Watford or will they stop at Milton Keynes because it has a bigger car park?"
Mr Dennis Lovett, Virgin's deputy director of corporate affairs, said the project was "a wonderful opportunity" for the Abbey Flyer branch line, which runs between St Albans and Watford stations.
The upgrade will include building 401 miles of new rail between Glasgow and London, incorporating new stops and a faster service.
October 25, 2001 20:06
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