Plans for new train service between London and Manchester are unveiled

Plans for a new train service between London and Manchester have been unveiled in the wake of HS2 cancellation.

London Northwestern Railway announced proposals today that could extend its current journeys from London to Crewe through to Manchester Victoria via the West Midlands.

Under the plans, existing services from Stafford to Crew could also be expanded to Manchester Airport.

It comes after the northern leg of HS2, from Birmingham to Manchester, was scrapped last year amid spiralling costs.

The new train service is seeking to use the same track space on the West Coast Main Line that Virgin Trains and Lumo have announced open access bids for.

London Northwestern Railway announced today it was seeking permission to extend its current journeys from London to Crewe through to Manchester Victoria via the West Midlands

West Midlands. Under the proposals, existing services from Stafford to Crew could also be expanded to Manchester Airport

A decision on which services can be launched will be made by the Department for Transport and regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Transport company FirstGroup announced in May a plan to run six return Lumo trains a day between London Euston and Rochdale via Manchester Victoria.

If London Northwestern Railway's proposal is given the go ahead, new direct links from Rugeley, Lichfield, Tamworth and Atherstone in the West Midlands to Manchester city centre and Warrington would be introduced from summer 2026 using Class 730 electric trains.

Ian McConnell, managing director of London Northwestern Railway-owner West Midlands Trains, said: 'This proposal puts passengers at the heart of the railway and is the common sense solution to increase connectivity between the North West and the West Midlands following the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2.

'With platform space at Euston at a premium, the best way to provide new journey opportunities to Manchester is simply to extend existing services, rather than trying to squeeze more trains onto the congested West Coast Main Line.

'Additionally, unlike the open access model, the millions of pounds of extra revenue our proposals would generate will be returned to the taxpayer, providing a win-win for rail passengers.

'Just as we have shown with our existing long-distance services to Birmingham and Liverpool, our green and environmentally-friendly new electric trains will provide an affordable alternative to the car and coach, with fares up to 50% cheaper than the main intercity operator.'

Most train operators in England - including London Northwestern Railway - are paid a management fee, with the UK Government holding responsibility for costs and revenue.

Open access operators receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies and take on all revenue risk.

There are concerns that these services create additional strain on the rail network and take too much revenue away from conventional operators.

It comes as transport company FirstGroup announced in May a plan to run six return Lumo trains a day between London Euston and Rochdale via Manchester Victoria

Dominic Booth, chief executive officer of West Midlands Trains' parent company Transport UK Group, said: 'Our new service proposals represent a significant step forward in enhancing the rail network between Manchester and London.

'By leveraging the new Class 730 electric trains, we will provide greater capacity and comfort for customers travelling to Manchester while also supporting the local economy by creating new job opportunities in the North West.

'This proposal aligns with our commitment to delivering efficient, sustainable, and customer-focused rail services across the UK.'

London Northwestern Railway intends to formally submit its plans to the ORR later this year.

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