{"id":1857,"date":"2025-04-30T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=1857"},"modified":"2025-05-06T13:06:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T13:06:15","slug":"new-direct-train-could-link-uks-cutest-seaside-town-to-northern-city-for-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/30\/new-direct-train-could-link-uks-cutest-seaside-town-to-northern-city-for-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"New direct train could link UK\u2019s cutest seaside town to northern city for first time"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Grand Central is planning to launch a new direct train route, but nothing is confirmed (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New railway plans could see trains running from Brighton<\/a> to Newcastle<\/a>, connecting England\u2019s north-east with the south coast.<\/p>\n

Arriva\u2019s Grand Central could soon launch the first direct route via London Gatwick<\/a> \u2014 bypassing the rest of the capital and bringing an end to changing trains.<\/p>\n

The train operator has submitted a bid to Network Rail<\/a>, and is currently waiting for approval.<\/p>\n

If it gets the green light, five trains will run daily in each direction, with stops at Birmingham<\/a>, Oxford and Surrey<\/a>, starting in December 2026.<\/p>\n

The new route would allow travellers to get from one end of the country to the other without switching at King\u2019s Cross or Victoria stations in London.<\/p>\n

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Map shows the proposed direct route from Newcastle to Brighton (Picture: Metro\/Datawrapper)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Each train would have capacity for 300 passengers, including luggage space for airport travellers, as well as on-board catering<\/a>, Wi-Fi and charging points.<\/p>\n

Grand Central currently runs services connecting Sunderland and Bradford with London King\u2019s Cross<\/a>, but it seems its new route proposal would answer the prayers of many.<\/p>\n

On social media, people have hailed the plans as \u2018brilliant\u2019 and \u2018amazing\u2019, saying they are \u2018all for it\u2019.<\/p>\n

One person said: \u2018For about five years I regularly travelled from Birmingham to Brighton<\/a> and back via London\u2026 This route would have been a dream.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Anything at all that can relieve the unbearable pressure on the mainline Brighton to London route is welcomed by me,\u2019 @IKnowWhereImGoing added on Reddit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Would you use this new direct route?<\/h3>\n