The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved a limited number of additional open access services on the East Coast Main Line (ECML), set to begin in December 2025. The decision affects three existing operators — Lumo, Grand Central, and Hull Trains — and will improve connectivity between London and several key northern destinations including Glasgow, Hull, Newcastle and Seaham.
The ORR said the new services will provide more direct rail links from London King’s Cross, and strengthen connections on routes including Wakefield to Bradford. The move aims to enhance competition, passenger choice and regional mobility, while being compatible with wider timetable changes planned for December 2025.
Approved ECML additions
The regulator approved the following new or extended services:
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Grand Central: Two additional services between Wakefield Kirkgate and Bradford Interchange on weekdays and Saturdays; one extra service in each direction on Sundays; and additional Seaham calls on existing services.
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Hull Trains: One extra northbound service between London King’s Cross and Hull on weekdays and Saturdays.
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Lumo (Newcastle): One additional return service between London King’s Cross and Newcastle on weekdays, plus one extra service in each direction on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Lumo (Glasgow extensions): Selected services currently terminating at Edinburgh will be extended to Glasgow Queen Street. This includes two northbound and one southbound train on weekdays, with a return service on Sundays.
The approved timetable enhancements are intended to run alongside major service uplifts from other operators.
“Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators… so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December,” Stephanie Tobyn, ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform, said.
Proposals rejectedHull
While several proposals were approved, others were turned down. The ORR rejected some applications on the basis of insufficient network capacity, potential performance risks, or negative impacts on public finances.
These included Hull Trains’ proposed new services between London King’s Cross and Sheffield. Other rejected Grand Central proposals included additional return services between Bradford and London, a York–London service, and more King’s Cross–Wakefield trains, among others.
In reviewing applications, ORR said it considered its statutory duties to support competition, promote rail network use, protect taxpayer funding, and give operators commercial certainty.
Background on ECML applications
The applicants had sought the following rights:
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Grand Central (Dec 2025–Dec 2027):
Sought up to two additional return services between Bradford and King’s Cross, one York–London return, a King’s Cross–Wakefield train, and more local services between Wakefield and Bradford. Some services would also call at Peterborough and Seaham. -
Hull Trains (May 2026–Dec 2032):
Applied for two daily return services between London and Sheffield via Retford, including stops at Worksop and Woodhouse, as well as a Meadowhall–Sheffield shuttle. -
Hull Trains (Dec 2025–Dec 2032):
Approved for one return service between London and Hull on weekdays and Saturdays. -
Lumo Newcastle (Dec 2025–May 2033):
Approved for one return service on weekdays between King’s Cross and Newcastle, plus one additional Saturday and Sunday train in each direction, with new stops at Stevenage. -
Lumo Glasgow Extensions:
Planned for four Edinburgh–Glasgow return services on weekdays, five on Saturdays, and three on Sundays, including an extra Glasgow–Edinburgh service each day.
While the ORR has only approved a subset of these proposals, it emphasised that the additions complement the larger capacity uplift planned by other operators from late 2025.
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