Two years after starting the fight to extend the TransPennine
Express (TPE) services from Manchester to Saltburn, Tees Valley
Mayor has today (14 October)
received confirmation from TPE that it will extend its Manchester
rail service to Saltburn in May.
The train operator has announced that from spring next year, its
service from Manchester Airport which currently runs through
Middlesbrough and terminates at Redcar will now end at Saltburn.
TransPennine Express has given the Mayor’s plans the go ahead to
provide the hourly service, which will also give direct access
from Saltburn to York, Leeds and Manchester, opening up a route
for local people who currently have to change at Redcar.
The move comes after years of lobbying by Mayor Houchen to extend
the route, ensuring those in the town and across East Cleveland
can benefit from a better rail service to the rest of the region
and beyond.
Mayor Houchen said: “I’m delighted that TransPennine has
committed to this change, giving local people the rail network
they deserve and opening up direct travel to York, Leeds and
Manchester. We’ve been working on this for more than two years,
so to see this hard work pay off and to deliver this service not
just for the people of Redcar but now the people of Saltburn and
East Cleveland is fantastic.
“As we recover from the coronavirus pandemic, better transport to
towns and cities across the north will play an important role in
both allowing businesses to grow and also helping people to
quickly and easily reconnect with friends and loved ones living
in these towns. Connecting our amazing coast with destinations
along this route will also help boost tourism and get people from
further afield enjoying the region and spending in our brilliant
businesses.
“As we continue to upgrade our stations across Teesside,
Darlington and Hartlepool with plans for Darlington’s
transformation recently approved and funding for disabled access
to Billingham secured, this news shows we’re not stopping in
pushing for railways that benefit the length and breadth of our
region.”
MP for Redcar, , said: “In my first week as an
MP here, we saw the extension of the Manchester Airport train to
Redcar Central, a huge win for our area - now to extend it to
Saltburn is an even bigger win and shows the great opportunities
here.
“This extension is something that I’ve campaigned for alongside
Simon & Ben for a number of years and I’m really pleased to
see it finally happening.
“Across Teesside we’re levelling up opportunities whether that’s
with more jobs for local people, better schools for our kids and,
with things like this, improved public transport for everyone.
“We’re getting on with the job of transforming Teesside for the
better, and it shows.”
, MP for Middlesbrough South
and East Cleveland, said: "It is fantastic news that TransPennine
Express have decided to extend this service, linking Manchester
Airport directly to Saltburn.
"This is something I have campaigned for since I was first
elected. It means better train services for Saltburn and will
allow local people to travel directly to York, Leeds and
Manchester.
"I've worked hard alongside my colleagues to achieve this outcome
and I'm delighted for the people of Saltburn and East Cleveland."
