Rail operator submits application to connect Newcastle and Brighton

Rail operator Arriva Group will submit an open access application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to introduce a new direct rail service between Newcastle and Brighton.

The service will run via London Gatwick, providing vital connectivity for underserved communities along the route.

Arriva’s application makes use of existing under-utilised capacity on the network and includes proposals to introduce five trains per day in each direction, along what would be the first direct route between Newcastle and Brighton.

The service would be operated by Grand Central, Arriva’s established open access rail operator, and could be introduced from December 2026.

It would deliver a direct connection from the Northeast and Midlands to London Gatwick and the South Coast, removing the need to interchange through London and providing passengers with a more efficient, affordable and sustainable travel option.

The plans are part of Arriva Group’s broader commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and making better use of available rail capacity.

By opening up new travel corridors, Arriva is helping to connect more people to jobs, education and leisure opportunities – and to encourage a greater shift from private cars to public transport.

Paul Hutchings, managing director of Arriva UK Trains’ Rail Services, said: “We’re committed to connecting communities and enabling more people to travel in ways that are convenient and sustainable, so we’re 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.

Other applications currently awaiting approval from the ORR include proposals for two extra daily return services between Bradford and London and an early morning and late evening return from York to London, as well as the introduction of a direct London connection to Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

Arriva is one of Europe’s largest transport operators and the only owning group in the UK rail market with experience across every major contract model – including national rail contracts with Chiltern and CrossCountry, concessions with Arriva Rail London and open access with Grand Central.