New train services between Manchester and London have been proposed following the scrapping of HS2.
The proposals were unveiled by rail operator London Northwestern Railway (LNWR) earlier this month (Monday 1 July), and are designed to ‘improve connectivity’ between the Midlands and the North West, as well as provide more choice for passengers.
Under the proposals, London Northwestern Railway’s existing services between London Euston and Crewe would be extended through to Manchester Victoria, and the current services between Stafford and Crewe would be extended to Manchester Airport.
As well as bringing additional capacity to Manchester, the plans will create new direct links from Rugeley, Lichfield, Tamworth, and Atherstone in the West Midlands, to the city centre and Warrington, from summer 2026.
Plans for new Manchester to London train services have been unveiled / Credit: LNWR | Flickr
The services linking Manchester city centre to London would use the LNWR’s brand-new Class 730 electric trains, which will provide a significant increase in capacity – with each 10-car train able to carry more than 1,200 passengers.
ADVERTISEMENT
LNWR will work with local operators and Network Rail to determine the “best overall solution”.
The proposed plans will also tie-in with planned upgrades to Manchester Victoria station, the TransPennine route upgrade, and other local improvements in the North West.
ADVERTISEMENT
New train crew and management jobs will also be created in the North West, on top of the the economic benefits that come with the generating of additional revenue and enhancing connectivity between two of the UK’s largest city regions under the proposals.
The proposals follow the Government’s scrapping of the northern leg of HS2 / Credit: National Rail
“This proposal puts passengers at the heart of the railway,” commented Ian McConnell, who is the Managing Director of West Midlands Trains, which operates London Northwestern Railway, as the plans were unveiled this week.
“It’s the common sense solution to increase connectivity between the North West and the West Midlands, following the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With platform space at Euston at a premium, the best way to provide new journey opportunities to Manchester is simply to extend existing services, rather than trying to squeeze more trains onto the congested West Coast Main Line.”
LNWR will formally submit its plans to the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) later this year, and if approved, the new services could start from May 2026 once additional train crew have been recruited and trained.
You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2024 
