'No realistic prospect of more Manchester trains'

THERE is “no realistic prospect” of more regular trains between Newcastle and Manchester being restored in the near future, northern leaders have been warned.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Only one direct train per hour currently runs in each direction between the major cities in the North East and North West of England, following a cut in 2023.

While a new rail timetable due to come into force in December will see LNER increase its Newcastle to London services from two to three per hour, hopes of boosting connections across the North remain very much on hold. Members of Transport for the North's Rail North Committee were told on Monday that the government has paused improvements that would have increased the capacity of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) north of York, allowing more passenger trains to travel on the congested route.