Great North Western Railway (GNWR), owned by Arriva Trains subsidiary Alliance Rail Holdings (ARH), has successfully applied to operate new direct passenger services between Blackpool North and Euston.
Approval by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) means that GNWR have access rights to operate the service from September 2019.
The service is planned to call at Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham and Wesham, Preston, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes Central between Blackpool North and Euston, with five return services per day and the opportunity for another.
These trains would be formed of an electric locomotive, six passenger carriages (including first class and a buffet car) and a large luggage van.
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Around 90 jobs, including train crew, management and support staff, would be created to provide this service, according to ARH.
An ARH spokesperson added: “We are delighted that the ORR has approved our application to deliver new direct rail services linking towns and cities between Blackpool and London.
“We expect that our plans would lead to growth of the market for rail travel, a better journey experience, innovation and lower fares. Passengers would also have the choice who they wish to travel with.”
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