(20 Feb 2024, 2:49 pm)mb134 wrote I'm not too sure, some of the timings look very tight and obviously it's all coordinated at the Newcastle end to ensure no disruption to the ECML services which will 100% get priority. There is at least one train (1148 ex Newcastle) which is timed to stop at Benton to allow something to pass, but has no time to actually do so.
Even in your example of the X22 the main area of housing there is around Fallowfield, which is a 15+ minute walk to the train station. So you're already looking at it being nearly one hour into Central on a train which is less frequent and a hefty walk in the rain (we're in England after all).
To be fair to Haymarket (and Eldon Square), it's right next to the universities, main shopping street/centre, council offices, and RVI just as some examples.
Assuming they've done their research and business case planning, there must be a big chunk that aren't travelling to/from that part of town.
Enough to justify spending millions on a new line at least.