Grand Central

Judicial Review rejects GNER claim against the Office of Rail Regulation
_______________________________________________________________

date 27 July 2006
source Grand Central
type Press release

Grand Central Railway Company Ltd. (Grand Central) is a York-based company, which has developed plans to launch new high quality train services from Sunderland/Hartlepool and from Bradford/Halifax to London. These new services will be operated on a fully commercial basis, without any Government subsidy.

Grand Central is very pleased with the verdict delivered by Mr Justice Sullivan today on the recent Judicial Review brought by GNER against the ORR, in which he dismissed GNER's claim that the original ORR decision in favour of Grand Central was unlawful.

A further statement will be issued in a few days time, when the contents of the judgement have been fully evaluated.

Ian Yeowart, Managing Director of Grand Central, comments:

"We are delighted with the outcome of this case, not just for ourselves and colleagues at the ORR and Hull Trains - but importantly for the people of the North East who can look forward to a quality affordable link to the Capital in the near future - and the people of West Yorkshire, who have been given hope for their Bradford/Halifax services.

"Having sat through every minute of the Court hearing it is clear that the Judge understood the complexities of the issues placed before him. We are grateful for the professional way in which the case was defended, and the important role played by our legal adviser, Tom Winsor, and his team.

"I would also like to thank our Barrister, Aidan Robertson, for the succinct way the arguments were finally pulled together, and Fraser Eagle for their unswerving support during this difficult time. With this situation now resolved, we can focus all our efforts on ensuring the successful launch of inter-city trains from Sunderland to London on 10 December."

Kevin Dean, Managing Director of Fraser Eagle Group, adds:

"This decision confirms what we knew all along - that the ORR made a legitimate legal decision and that Grand Central is fully entitled to run services on the East Coast Mainline. We are delighted all the hard work Fraser Eagle has put into Grand Central has not been undermined and we feel proud of the resilience and determination we have shown during the legal process."

ENQUIRIES:

Grand Central
Ian Yeowart, Managing Director Tel: 01904 633307

Fraser Eagle Group
Kevin Dean, Managing Director Tel: 08700 842 713
Andrew Taylor, PR Manager

College Hill
Gareth David Tel: 020 7457 2020 /
07774 444 162

NOTES TO EDITORS

Fraser Eagle Group
1) Fraser Eagle Group, the majority shareholder in Grand Central, is a
multi-million pound group of companies specialising in coach, bus and rail
services, business continuity planning, corporate travel, interior design
and hotel refurbishment.
2) Fraser Eagle employs around 400 people nationwide and is the largest
supplier of managed transport services to the UK rail industry.

Grand Central Railway Company Limited
1) Grand Central aims to deliver a high quality, affordable and accessible
train service to communities across the North of England who are remote from
direct services to London.

2) Grand Central currently has three firm rights each way (Monday to Sunday)
to operate services between London King's Cross and Sunderland, calling at
York, Thirsk, Northallerton, Eaglescliffe (for Teesside) and Hartlepool.
Grand Central's Monday - Saturday service will be:

Sunderland 0653 1230 1730
Hartlepool 0716 1253 1755
Eaglescliffe 0738 1315 1814
Northallerton 0759 1336 1835
Thirsk 0808 1345 1844
York arrive 0838 1407 1903
York depart 0847 1410 1906
Kings Cross 1042 1605 2108

Kings Cross 0804 1127 1650
York arrive 1006 1319 1844
York depart 1014 1322 1847
Thirsk 1029 1337 1903
Northallerton 1038 1346 1915
Eaglescliffe 1057 1403 1933
Hartlepool 1116 1423 1955
Sunderland 1150 1450 2035

Timings are still subject to possible changes by Network Rail. Sunday
timings are to be confirmed.

Railhub Archive ::: 2006-07-27 GCR-001