Rail plans include town's only London link

Expansion plans also include more services to Yorkshire and Peterborough

A train company has announced plans to expand services, including a town's new and only direct connection to London.

Grand Central has applied to the Office of Rail and Road to start consultations on new routes which, if approved, could be launched from May next year.

These include the introduction of four daily services from Seaham to London.

Also planned are increased services from West Yorkshire to London and additional stops at Peterborough.

The proposals would provide over 360,000 additional seats per year on West Yorkshire services and an additional 195,000 seats annually on the North East route, Grand Central said.

Key proposals include:

• The introduction of four daily calls at Seaham on Grand Central’s North East services, for a direct connection to the capital

• Up to two additional daily return services between London and West Yorkshire

• An additional early morning departure from York to London Kings Cross and a late-evening return service

• Some new services to include additional stops at Peterborough