A £300m direct train service that will connect the north and south of England is on the cards, it has been announced. Operated by Arriva Group, the new project will operate between Newcastle and Brighton under its Grand Central brand and call at stations such as York, Sheffield, Birmingham New Street, Oxford, Reading and Gatwick airport.

According to Arriva Group, the new route would enable passengers to travel by train between the North East and the south coast without changing trains in London. It would provide a “more efficient, affordable and sustainable travel option”.

An application has been submitted to the regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), for permission to launch the services.

Paul Hutchings, Arriva UK Trains Arriva Group said five services per day in each direction could begin running from December 2026.

He said: “We are committed to connecting communities and enabling more people to travel in ways that are convenient and sustainable, so we are very pleased to be submitting this application for the first direct service between Newcastle and Brighton, opening up new travel opportunities and making better use of available network capacity – all while building on Grand Central’s proud history of connecting traditionally underserved communities.

"This is an exciting time for Grand Central’s growth story and follows the extension of our existing access rights to 2038 as well as the recent announcement of an investment of around £300 million in a new battery hybrid train fleet for our existing routes, further underlining our commitment and ambition for rail in the UK.”

If approved, the new route will provide direct access to London Gatwick for many communities in cities and towns in the northeast and the midlands, such as Northallerton, Warwick and Burton-on-Trent – offering passengers a reliable, comfortable and lower-carbon alternative to road travel while easing capacity constraints on London’s transport network. Each train will offer capacity for 300 passengers, including luggage space for airport travellers, as well as on-board catering, wi-fi and charging points.

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer of London Gatwick said: “We welcome Arriva’s exploration of a regular service between London Gatwick, the Midlands and North East, and are excited about the opportunities this proposed service could bring. London Gatwick is keen to encourage passengers to use public transport and this enhanced connectivity would support underserved areas, while strengthening and growing our catchment.

“London Gatwick already boasts an extensive network supported by strong relationships with transport providers, making the airport the best connected in the UK by public transport - this proposed addition would further enhance the seamless travel options for passengers and staff.”