The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved plans to allow private train operators to run additional services on the east coast mainline, extending connections from London to Glasgow, Hull, and Bradford. The decision comes despite concerns over capacity and the impact on taxpayer-funded services operated by state-owned LNER.
FirstGroup-owned Lumo will extend some of its London–Edinburgh services to Glasgow and add a daily Newcastle return. Its Hull Trains operation will gain an extra daily return service, while Arriva’s Grand Central will run more trains between Wakefield and Bradford. However, the ORR rejected part of the applications, including a proposed new direct London King’s Cross to Sheffield service, citing insufficient capacity and potential performance impacts.
The regulator stated that the additional open access services can be accommodated alongside major service uplifts planned for the December 2025 timetable. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR director of strategy, policy and reform, said: “Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the east coast mainline.”
FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland welcomed the decision, saying: “We are pleased to have been awarded the extensions to our successful open access rail operations.” The state-owned LNER is set to introduce a major timetable change in December, cutting London–Edinburgh journey times, after a one-year postponement due to readiness and congestion concerns.
