Money. The whole plan to speed the Independents up was reliant on the Crewe re-modelling as it was intended to be used as a diversion route during big blockades. That has gone so no benefit in doing it.
As it stands now? In the region of 12-15 minutes.
Thanks
That seems a lot, but I suppose the difference between 10mph and the speed that a train staying on the normal route is able to brake from and accelerate to would be high. Any 10mph train would also still have the braking and acceleration on parts of the line where the normal routed train is already much faster.
So unless someone finds other uses for a platform on the independents there is nothing doing. Two trains crossing the WCML on the level per hour really isn't enough is it?
(Wanders into rabbit holes of wondering whether Chester - Crewe - Manchester has benefits for a local service connecting existing Crewe-Manchester with the Chester shuttle were Chester - Crewe to be wired.)
In all honesty, once TfW get the 197s in service and Manchester - Cardiff is 5 carriages I cannot see much cost in having Manchester - Cardiff continue to serve places along the way. The problem with the line is that you are most likely to be on an overcrowded train, rather than the time taken (which will be slow whatever happens).