Government-owned LNER will add another red wall destination at the end of this year.
The news emerged in a tweet from LNER’s MD David Horne last week.
Hello Middlesbrough! In the early hours of Monday morning, we ran an Azuma test train to Middlesbrough to check various operational elements ahead of our planned launch of Middlesbrough-London Azuma services later this year. Exciting times! https://t.co/PgLg15Jdaq
— David Horne (@DavidHorne) May 18, 2021
Currently there is no direct rail service between London King’s Cross and Middlesbrough. But this will change.
At the moment travellers taking LNER might change at Darlington.
With open access Grand Central a change at Eaglescliffe is required.
LNER’s addition of Middlesbrough to its network is perhaps part of the government’s policy of levelling up the North.
The Northern Echo reports Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen as saying the direct service would provide “top quality” links to the capital.
Mayor Houchen confirmed that one of the platforms at Middlesbrough is being extended for use by one of LNER’s Azuma trains.
LNER confirmed it hoped to launch the direct service to London Kings Cross in December 2021.
Ever since taking over from Virgin Trains East Coast, LNER has become a favourite with travellers using the East Coast Mainline.
From London Kings Cross the LNER network encompasses Yorkshire, the Northeast and Scotland.
