Rail passengers may soon be able travel directly to Newcastle and Brighton directly from Wokingham.
Arriva Group has submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to introduce a new direct rail service between Newcastle and Brighton, via Wokingham and London Gatwick.
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 north east and midlands to London Gatwick and the south coast, removing the need to change through London, and providing passengers with a more efficient, affordable and sustainable travel option.
The proposed Newcastle to Brighton service would call at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham New Street, Warwick Parkway, Banbury, Oxford, Reading, Wokingham, Guildford, Redhill, London Gatwick, Haywards Heath and Brighton.
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.”
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.
