25.06.19
Grand Central plans new rail route from Blackpool to London from spring 2020
Grand Central will run a new route from Blackpool to London from spring 2020, the train operator announced today.
The new InterCity services are expected to give a significant boost to the economy in the North West of England and London as the company expands across the north.
Grand Central will operate up to five new direct train services to run every day of the week between Blackpool North and London Euston.
Blackpool will gain direct services to the capital on Sundays as well as later trains Monday to Friday, and Poulton-le-Fylde and Kirkham & Wesham will each have direct London services throughout the day, seven days a week.
Richard McClean, managing director of Grand Central, said: “We are delighted to announce our plans to operate direct train services between London and Blackpool from early next year.
“We will bring our operational expertise and industry-leading customer service to this new route, offering more choice for existing rail users and new opportunities for people to travel by train.
“For more than a decade, we have been dedicated to making travel affordable and enjoyable for people in the North East and across Yorkshire.
“This new chapter opens up these opportunities to the other side of the Pennines and beyond, ensuring rail remains relevant and accessible to as many people as possible.”
The service from Blackpool North to London Euston was approved in June last year by the Office of Rail and Road.
Around 90 jobs are expected to be created in order to run the new service, most of which will be based in the North West.
The new service is an addition to Grand Central’s current routes around Yorkshire and the North East.