THE FORMER rail regulator Tom Winsor is standing by to advise Grand Central in its challenge to the new timetable proposed for the East Coast Main Line, Railnews has learnt. Although the plans, which have been unveiled by transport secretary Andrew Adonis, would speed up East Coast services and bring London--Edinburgh down to under four hours, GC says it would be ‘seriously disadvantaged’.

Mr Winsor acted successfully for Grand Central when it was fighting off determined GNER objections to its open access licence application in 2006, and reliable sources say he is set to return to the fray should the dispute over East Coast timings become the subject of a formal hearing.

Grand Central maintains the proposals from Lord Adonis favour franchised operators, and particularly state-owned East Coast. GC, however, would face having its journey times extended by 12 minutes between London and York and 24 minutes between London and Sunderland.

A GC spokesman said no options had been ruled out, including court action, altthough the company will first lodge its objections under the established consultation procedure. He declined to confirm or deny that Mr Winsor will be engaged if the matter is not resolved.

The DfT said the proposed May 2011 timetable for the East Coast Main Line, which also includes more Anglo-Scottish services, would be ‘in the best interests of all passengers’.