trains

BRITS could soon be heading to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam with Virgin Trains – and now, there is a first glimpse at the trains that will be used.

Virgin Trains has revealed more details about services it hopes to run to Europe from 2030, with cheaper tickets and potential Manchester and Birmingham routes.

Back in October, Virgin Trains revealed that it had been granted permission by the Office of Rail and Road to access Temple Mills depot in East London.

The approval essentially means that the operator is a step closer to launching cross-channel services that will eventually rival Eurostar.

Though precise details of schedules and ticket prices have yet to be revealed, Virgin Trains has said it plans to initially use 12 trains for the European service, each of which will have seven carriages.

The operator has made an agreement with Alstom for these trains, which will be Avelia Stream trains – energy-efficient and modern, according to Virgin.

Read more on travel inspo

LUCKY DIP

I tried Wowcher’s £99 Mystery Christmas Market – everything you need to know

HAPPY DEAL

Disney free food deal that ‘saves THOUSANDS’ – our experts see if it’s worth it

And they will feature Virgin’s famous red and white colours.

Current planned routes include London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels Midi and Amsterdam Centraal.

And Virgin is planning for 20 services a day, with 13 to Paris, four to Brussels and three to Amsterdam.

Unlike Eurostar, Virgin is also looking at stopping at Ebbsfleet or Ashford in Kent, which are currently not used for international services.

And in the future, there could be services from Manchester or Birmingham and services to Switzerland and/or Germany.

What exactly Virgin Trains will look like at London St Pancras is yet to be revealed, but Virgin has said that it will “improve the experience” for passengers.

Richard Branson has previously said he wants a direct service from London to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

He also mentioned hopes to launch a route to Disneyland Paris, which Eurostar used to have a route to but axed it in 2023.

The main benefit for passengers, though, could be the potentially cheaper tickets as Virgin has expressed on a number of occasions how fares are likely to be competitive, or even cheaper, than current Eurostar tickets.

According to Eurostar, its lowest fare between London and Paris is £39.

However, looking at current prices, the cheapest fare in the next six weeks is £51.

Whilst the prices for Virgin Trains tickets are not clear yet, Branson said last month: “If you have competition, then fares will inevitably come down.

“If we’ve got seats that need selling, we will reduce the cost of them.”

Passengers on Virgin Trains may also be able to collect Virgin Red loyalty points when they book through Virgin, as they do with Virgin Atlantic flights.

Before services are able to launch, Virgin Trains needs to form a commercial agreement with Eurostar (the current operator of Temple Mills), secure finance, access to tracks and stations and gain safety approvals from the ORR and authorities in the EU.

The Channel Tunnel is currently only used by Eurostar and LeShuttle.

However, a report over the summer revealed there is capacity for more trains to access the Temple Mills depot, which is essential for cross-channel services.

At the time of the announcement in October, Martin Jones, deputy director, access and international at the Office of Rail and Road said: “With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to £700million in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

“While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.”

In other rail news, a traditional English seaside town named one of the best in the UK is getting new direct London trains.

Plus, the low-cost train launching more routes between two popular UK cities – and tickets are £33.

OMAHA — The Federal Railroad Administration has sent letters to two railroad operators demanding they make sure that Mexican crews can speak English and don’t operate a train more than 10 miles inside the United States.

A number of Mexican train crews who recently hauled trains over the border to rail yards in Texas had trouble understanding important safety information in English during inspections the Trump administration ordered, U.S. officials said.

Railroads Union Pacific and CPKC routinely rely on foreign crews at times to bring trains over the border to their rail yards in the U.S. before switching to American engineers and conductors. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union said handoffs used to happen at the border. The engineers union has been worried about using foreign crews for some time because of safety, security and job concerns.

Union Pacific and CPKC said the railroads are committed to ensuring safety and security and will work to ensure they are complying with the rules.

The Trump administration has also been cracking down on truck drivers who don’t speak English, saying it seeks to make sure crews can communicate in an emergency and understand crucial instructions.

“Whether you’re operating an 80-ton big rig or a massive freight train, you need to be proficient in our national language — English,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “If you aren’t, you create an unacceptable safety risk.”

The Transportation Department has withheld $40 million from California, which it accused of not enforcing the English proficiency requirement. Duffy has also threatened to sanction several other states that he says have improperly issued commercial driver’s licenses to unauthorized immigrants.

That became a key concern after several deadly crashes involving semitrucks driven by immigrants in the country illegally.

Inspectors cite problems

Federal Railroad Administration Administrator David Fink told both railroads they could face enforcement action if inspectors find additional occurrences of train crews operating in the U.S. without being proficient in English.

Inspectors found problems in Union Pacific’s Eagle Pass rail yard and CPKC’s facility in Laredo, Fink said.

Union Pacific had a interpreter on hand to help its Mexican crews, but Fink said the railroad might try to remove that person in the future, and inspectors said they worried about how well the crews understood operating rules and required brake tests.

At CPKC’s rail yard, Fink said, inspectors found numerous instances of train crews having a hard time understanding operating bulletins and U.S. regulations that require information about hazardous materials and emergency responses to be maintained in English.

Unions support the move

The engineers union and the SMART-TD union that represents conductors welcomed the Trump administration’s move because they say Mexican crews aren’t as well-trained and need to understand crucial safety information.

Earlier this year, the engineers union also highlighted two arrests of members of Mexican crews on suspicion of smuggling — one accused of helping migrants cross the border illegally and the other for allegedly trying to bring drugs into the U.S.

“The administration should be commended for standing up for border security, public safety and American jobs by creating stronger safety standards for crews that bring trains from Mexico to the United States,” Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Mark Wallace said. “It’s critical that locomotive engineers are able to speak to dispatchers and first responders in English when trains are moving on U.S. soil.”

Railroads’ response

“We have the same goals — a safe, secure border that keeps the supply chain fluid,” Union Pacific spokesperson Kristen South said. “Part of ensuring safe operations is good communication.”

CPKC spokesperson Patrick Waldron said the railroad — which operates one continuous network across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico — makes sure international crews at both borders do not travel more than 10 miles into the U.S.

“Safety is foundational to everything we do,” he said.

Union Pacific picks up and hands off trains to its partner, FerroMex railroad, at the border. It said changing out crews at its rail yard seven miles over the border in Eagle Pass helps keep freight moving, because previously the switch was done at a single-track bridge, forcing rail traffic to come to a halt. The railroad said it worked with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to make the change.

Funk writes for the Associated Press.

ONE of the UK’s prettiest English seaside towns is getting new direct trains to the capital city

Eastbourne was once connected to London Bridge, but these direct routes were scrapped during the Covid.

The new direct route launched earlier this week, running from London Bridge to the Sussex coastal town.

The new route as part of the December timetable will run two trains, with one in each direction.

The Eastbourne train will leave at 6:47am, arriving in London Bridge at 8:25am.

The return London Bridge train will be at 5:03pm, arriving in Eastbourne at 6:35pm.

CHUG ALONG

Victorian seaside town with very unusual beach to get trains to the capital

SEA YOU

Historic seaside town home to the first sunlounger & one of Europe’s ‘best beaches’

The trains will run Monday to Thursday so is mainly a commuter route, and it will sadly not run in the school holidays.

However, a day trip mid week means it can easily be visited with the new route.

Josh Babarinde MP said: “I am delighted that our campaign to restore the direct train service between Eastbourne and London Bridge has been successful – this is a massive win for our town.”

It will also stop at Lewes, another seaside town previously without a direct London route.

It was also backed by Jenny Saunders, Southern’s Customer Services Director, who said: “I am delighted that we’ve been able to introduce this direct service from the coast to the capital.”

Tickets start from around £25.

Of course, you can still travel to Eastbourne from London Victoria.

Eastbourne was a popular seaside destination during the Victorian times, but became run down over the years.

Yet a resurgence in popularity has even seen it named one of the UK’s best seaside towns.

CN Traveller said it was the “quintessential, old-fashioned seaside resort”.

And back in 2023, Time Out named it one of the best places for a British day out.

It was praised for being a “hub for creatives,” with the Towner Eastbourne art gallery.

One of the most popular spots of Eastbourne is Beachy Head, the beautiful cliffs overlooking the sea.

Otherwise there is Eastbourne Pier, with arcades and live music.

BUSY trains are being axed over a driver shortage, causing Christmas chaos.

Passengers planning to travel on Cross Country trains are today facing major disruption over the dwindling staff numbers – amid warnings from the operator.

A number of services between Manchester and Birmingham were cancelled on Sunday afternoon, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

It comes after a series of planned strikes by railway workers on CrossCountry Trains were called off.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were due to walk out for the next four Saturdays in a dispute over pay and staffing issues.

The train operator had warned of significant disruption on all its routes if the strikes had gone ahead.

TERROR TRACK

Super modern train station in the UK that people say looks it’s from Alien

STEAMING AHEAD

World-famous English city getting a new train station in £6.7billion plans

However, the union has announced that the dispute has been resolved.

An RMT spokesperson said: “We have resolved the dispute with the employer and no strike action will now take place.”

RMT members previously walked out on December 6 and 13.

Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry previously told The Sun, prior to the U-turn they were “disappointed for our customers” over the initial decision to strike.

Network Rail warned passengers to expect delays through Christmas and the New Year ahead of major £130 million works.

The disruption is set to last for a total of a month over the festive period, while crucial work is carried out.

Announcing a raft of festive network upgrades, Network Rail boss Helen Hamlin said: “The period between Christmas and New Year is the quietest on the railway and it’s the best time for us to do the major projects that will take longer than a night or a weekend to complete.

“That’s especially the case this year as we have some very big plans for improving the railway that will mean people may have to travel home on different routes after Christmas than the way they travelled out. 

“Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding and for planning ahead.”

Dover delays

Meanwhile, families getting away for Christmas yesterday were hit with long delays as a massive IT glitch continued to cause chaos at Dover.

The technical issue at the French border control resulted in motorists being trapped in their cars for hours and missing their ferries.

The delays continued today, with ferry passengers grinding to a halt on the approach to the Kent port this morning as nearly 30,000 cars were estimated to embark on outbound sailings during the festive period.

Peak traffic at the port will be between 6am and 1pm, when P&O Ferries, which operates some sailings from the port, urged customers to allow extra time for their journey.

Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “To help ensure a smooth departure, we kindly ask all customers travelling with our ferry partners not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled sailing, just as you would if departing from a UK airport, and greatly appreciate everyone’s patience should there be any additional waiting time due to the high volumes of traffic.”

Sunday was forecast to be quieter than Saturday on the roads, but motorists were still facing delays on the M25 clockwise from Junction 15 to Junction 19 this morning.

A total of 3.5 million car journeys are expected on Sunday, according to RAC research, but motorists planning last-minute travel could face heavy traffic as 4.2 million getaways are predicted on Christmas Eve, which would make it the single busiest day over the period.

Drivers are being warned the worst hold-ups on December 24 will be between 11am and 7pm.

RAC figures suggest it could be the busiest Christmas getaway on record, with a total of 37.5 million leisure trips between Wednesday and Christmas Eve – the most in the week before Christmas Day since the company began recording the data in 2013.

A UK city has been hailed as home to ‘one of the world’s most scenic winter train journeys’

A city in the UK has been hailed as the backdrop for “one of the world’s most scenic winter train journeys“. National Geographic experts have lauded the route as “breathtaking,” promising travellers an eyeful of unforgettable vistas. In their roundup of Europe’s top 10, they said: “The holiday season may be the best time to ride the rails on these iconic routes through Germany’s enchanted Black Forest, and Norway’s frozen waterfalls.”

But it’s Scotland that truly steals the show with its mist-shrouded hills, serpentine lochs, and stark winter landscapes. For those hunting for a festive or winter escape, this rail journey delivers an unrivalled experience.

So, where in Scotland can you find this picturesque railway journey?

Stretching around 180 miles from Glasgow to Mallaig via Fort William, the West Highland Line is your ticket to awe-inspiring scenery.

As the National Geographic expert elaborated: “Route: Glasgow to Mallaig. Often cited as one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, the West Highland Line serves up raw, haunting beauty.

“It slices through Rannoch Moor, a sprawling peat bog, skirts Loch Lomond, and soars over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, (a spectacle long before the Hogwarts Express catapulted it to Hollywood fame).”

They added: ” Edinburgh and Glasgow both boast unique Christmas festivities worth checking out. Edinburgh’s markets spill across Princes Street Gardens under the watchful eye of the castle, while Glasgow is set to light up with a Christmas lights trail this year.”

Glasgow’s Christmas market

The Winter Wonderland Christmas market at St Enoch Square is set to run from 6 November to 24 December, boasting family rides, an ice rink, local vendors, and live music. As reported by Secret Glasgow, the event will feature the world’s first solar-powered observation wheel and a fully licensed festive bar.

Glasgow is also set to host its largest beer hall yet, accommodating up to 700 guests with pub quizzes, live music, and festive beverages on offer. The venue will be adorned with fairy lights and fire pits, serving mulled wine and winter cocktails in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

In lieu of the traditional Christmas Lights Switch-On, which has been cancelled due to redevelopment works at George Square, the city will instead showcase a festive light trail.

Key attractions include dazzling art installations along Sauchiehall, Buchanan, and Argyle Streets, as well as a grand Christmas tree and crib at the Cathedral Precinct, providing a perfect backdrop for festive photos.

Top 10 scenic train routes in Europe, according to National Geographic

1. The Glacier Express (Switzerland)
2. Romantic Rhine Route (Germany)
3. Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (Germany)
4. The Bernina Express (Switzerland to Italy)
5. The West Highland Line (Scotland)
6. The Rauma Line (Norway)
7. The Semmering Railway (Austria)
8. The Schwarzwaldbahn (Germany)
9. The Arlberg Line (Switzerland–Austria)
10. Munich to Salzburg (Germany to Austria)

A PRETTY UK seaside town will be getting trains from London for the first time.

The operator Grand Central has launched the first-ever direct trains between Seaham and London.

There are now four direct services between Seaham and London King’s Cross in each direction, every day.

Before the service was launched, passengers travelling from Seaham would have to change trains to travel into London, taking the total journey time to four hours.

The new direct service sheds 30 minutes off of that journey time, taking around three and a half hours in total.

One-way tickets cost from £30.50 per person, when booked in advance.

Read more on travel inspo

LUCKY DIP

I tried Wowcher’s £99 Mystery Christmas Market – everything you need to know

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

Chris Brandon, director at Grand Central, said: “For the first time in history, residents here have a direct, reliable connection to London — a connection that reflects the town’s growing ambition and needs.

“This launch reflects our mission to continue investing in the North East: through our £300million order of new trains, and through seeking increased track access rights, which will allow us to provide more services in the region for years to come.”

Grahame Morris, Member of Parliament for Easington, said: “The East Durham Coastline has been underused for decades, and I’m delighted that Grand Central has recognised the enormous potential of this route and worked hard to make it a reality.”

Seaham is located around a 17-minute drive from Sunderland in County Durham.

And the town is even home to a famous beach that stretches a mile-long and often features lots of sea glass, ideal for collecting.

Sea glass is man-made glass that at some point or another has ended up in the sea.

And when it does, it is ground down over the years and eventually washes up on the shore.

In fact, there’s more sea glass in Seaham than in other beach destinations.

This is because during the Victorian era there was a bottle factory nearby that used to put waste directly into the sea.

There is even a beach called Glass Beach, located at the front of the town.

One recent visitor said: “If you’re looking for a place to find treasure then this is the one!

“There’s loads to see here from beautiful glass and fossils to a friendly little robin that comes and sits with you while you hunt for treasure.”

But if you want to explore a sandy spot, then head to The Slope Beach which looks out at Seaham Lighthouse.

A recent visitor said: “A hidden Seaham gem, with a gently sloping sandy beach leading down to a protected sea, with great views of the lighthouse at the far end of the pier.

“Great parking, a freshwater tap at the top of the beach, and all the facilities of the marina right next door, including toilets and a fantastic array of cafes.

“A great trip out for the kids, or a peaceful few hours to one’s self when they’re in school. Lovely!”

The town itself then also features a number of places to grab a bite to eat, including a Wetherspoons pub.

Or just up from Seaham Beach you can head to the Crows Nest pub, where you can order mac and cheese or Hunter’s chicken for £11.79.

If you fancy fresh seafood, head to The Lamp Room with options including a surf and turf salad for £16.95 or a seafood linguine for £15.95.

One diner commented: “The food was amazing, fresh, and very tasty.

“We had fresh mussels with fries, and the sauce was delicious.”

In other UK destination news, the English seaside towns and cities getting multi-million pound upgrades next year – with new rides and attractions.

Plus, the 2,700-mile path that runs along pretty UK seaside towns is set to be the longest in the world.

A MAJOR UK city, home to the third oldest subway system in the world, is set to get driverless trains next year.

Glasgow will be getting driverless subway trains in the second half of 2026, according to The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

The new driverless trains will be introduced in Glasgow slowly, with officials noting in a report that “whilst our new system will be capable of Unattended Train Operation, there may be a requirement for some staff presence within the system beyond this point”.

The move to driverless trains in Glasgow will be the first of its kind in the UK.

The only other similar train system is the DLR in London – while not having train drivers, they do still have ‘Train Captain’s onboard.

In addition to the driverless trains, Glasgow’s public transport more widely has undergone a number of other projects.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

SUN SWAP

I’ve visited Florida 50 times… my holiday costs less than a European all-inclusive

These include implementing more glass screens at a number of stations for safety.

And most stations on the circular line have had refurbishments.

There are also a few projects that still need to be carried out including introducing new signalling.

A report from June revealed that the subway modernisation in Glasgow is the “most significant investment and improvement programme to be undertaken in the Subway within the last 45 years”.

The report also listed a number of other areas that will undergo improvements, including the introduction of a new ticketing system.

Glasgow is planning on becoming the first city in Scotland to trial a free public transport scheme as well.

The scheme will start in early 2026 and involve around 1,000 people, who will get free public transport for six weeks.

This means travellers will get unlimited travel on trains, buses and the subway network.

The aim of the scheme is to see whether more people take up public transport, rather than opting to drive.

Currently, fares to travel on Glasgow’s transport network range from around £3.60 to £5.90.

This week, rail operator Lumo also announced that it is extending its London Euston to Edinburgh route to Glasgow.

Passengers will be able to use two northbound services each weekday and one southbound service.

There will then be one service in each direction at the weekend.

And tickets for the route with the low-cost operator will cost from £33.10 between London and Glasgow.

In other rail news, here’s the first look at the new Great British Railways trains being rolled out across the UK.

Plus, popular UK seaside town scraps trains to London.

The heritage steam railway trundles through pretty seaside villages and along stunning North Norfolk coastline

A stunning train route has been crowned England’s “most scenic” after travellers discovered it winds through charming seaside villages and breathtaking landscapes. Better still, the heritage steam railway itself is rich in history as it chugs along picturesque old tracks.

The Poppy Line, running between Sheringham and Holt in North Norfolk, meanders for 5.25 miles (8.45km) across the region’s flat countryside. East Anglia’s self-proclaimed “premier heritage railway” is run almost entirely by volunteers, lending the entire journey a welcoming atmosphere.

Yet it’s far from amateur – first class carriages provide dining experiences where passengers can tuck into delicious meals and enjoy exquisite bottles of wine.

Options range from a Comedy Dining Experience to various gourmet services, a Murder Mystery Dining experience – and even a Gin Train for those seeking a more relaxed affair.

Passengers board at Sheringham, a classic Victorian seaside town where fishing remains a thriving trade and shops stock an array of local goods. The town boasts an expansive beach with golden sands – ideal for a winter ramble whilst the train prepares for departure.

For those wanting a lengthier excursion, continue along the coast atop the gently rising cliffs to take in the diverse mix of wildflowers, butterflies and sweeping vistas of the North Sea.

From this point, the train chugs along for a few miles to the quintessentially English village of Weybourne, reports the Express.

Here you can also bask in the stunning coastal views, or perhaps pop over to the Muckleburgh Military Collection, the UK’s largest privately owned military museum, boasting over 120 tanks, guns and vehicles among its collection of 10,000 items.

Once you’ve had your fill of military history, meander over to one of the traditional British pubs where you can tuck into fish and chips, or locally sourced seafood or other produce. Notable establishments include The Ship Inn and The Red Lion.

Afterwards, hop back on the train and you’ll be whisked off to Kelling Heath Park, which is just a brief stop. From here you can embark on hikes around Kelling Heath, a 221-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Following this, Holt is the final stop, where you’ll alight to discover a treasure trove of 18th-Century Georgian buildings, with charming antique and book shops tucked away in the many hidden courtyards and alleyways. Don’t miss the cross in the marketplace that commemorates soldiers who fell in the war.

Just a stone’s throw away is Holt Country Park – a 100-acre woodland filled with oak, pine and silver birch trees. The ruins of Baconsthorpe Castle are also well worth a visit.

This moated and fortified manor house dates back to the 15th century and is teeming with intriguing history.

AN ‘international’ railway station has revealed its £1million refurbishment.

Harwich International train station in north-east Essex is technically international despite having no trains actually go to Europe from the station.

That’s because it is located near Harwich International Port, a major cruise and ferry terminal with a number of daily sailings to the Netherlands.

Through September, Greater Anglia carried out work on the roof of the station, as well as improving lighting, the staircases and station entrance areas.

The entire train station was also repainted.

Andrew Goodrum, from Greater Anglia, said: “These improvements make a significant difference to the overall passenger experience.

Read more on travel inspo

TRIP TIPS

I’ve visited Disney 55 times… mistakes parents make that ruin trips & waste money

TAKING OFF

I’ve visited 50 countries & this much-loathed budget airline is the world’s best

“The station is now brighter, more modern and more welcoming, while our new energy-efficient lighting reduces our carbon footprint.”

Each year, over 100,000 journeys start or end at the station.

The station serves some local destinations such as Harwich Town and also travels to London Liverpool Street, where passengers can change and travel on to a number of other destinations including Norwich, Ipswich, Heathrow Airport and Stansted Airport.

A number of other ‘international’ stations in the UK are set to undergo upgrades.

For example, Stratford International Station may see services to Europe in the future for the first time ever.

Virgin Trains is looking to launch high-speed services through the Channel Tunnel in around 2030, competing with Eurostar.

As part of the operators’ plans, it is exploring the potential to use Stratford International to carry out these services.

Virgin Trains was given permission by the UK’s rail regulator (ORR) to use the Temple Mills depot in London – a crucial part of operating international services through the Channel Tunnel.

And they plan to connect London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International used to have international services until Eurostar suspended them in 2020.

Virgin Trains is also looking at how these stations could be used for international rail services.

Major improvements are planned for London St. Pancras as well, which is currently the only major station in the UK used for rail services to Europe.

By 2028, Eurostar wishes to double its capacity at the station, as well as improve security, border control and the main concourse in the station.

If these changes were carried out, then the hourly passenger throughput would rise from 2,000 to around 5,000.

The station is also looking to potentially move the arrivals flow to the upstairs parts of the station.

In other rail news, a world-famous English city is getting a new train station in huge £6.7billion plans.

Plus, the super modern train station in the UK that people say looks like it’s from Alien.

A POPULAR seaside town will be losing half of its direct trains to and from London next week.

Currently, there are four direct trains a day between London and Blackpool, operated by Avanti West Coast.

The service currently operates Monday to Friday.

However, they have confirmed that changes to the timetable means that the four daily services from Blackpool will be reduced to two – one in each direction.

The two routes being scrapped are the 9:39am London to Blackpool North service, and the 12:52pm Blackpool North to London service.

The routes that will continue to run include the 5:35am Blackpool North to London Euston route and the 5:40pm London Euston to Blackpool North route.

Read more on travel inspo

TAKING OFF

I’ve visited 50 countries & this much-loathed budget airline is the world’s best

HAPPY DEAL

Disney free food deal that ‘saves THOUSANDS’ – our experts see if it’s worth it

Instead, they will be increasing routes between Blackpool and Liverpool as well as restarting a morning route from Manchester.

Avanti West Coast slammed the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) who are the economic and safety regulator, regarding the new restrictions being introduced.

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the Office of Rail and Road’s decision not to grant access rights from December for three weekday services that we currently operate, including the 09:39 London to Blackpool North service, and the 12:52 Blackpool North to London service.

“This will clearly impact those customers who already use these services.

“However, we will still be delivering even more services across our network from the start of the December timetable, including further additional trains on our Liverpool route.”

An ORR spokesperson said they “recognised passengers would be disappointed”.

However, they explained: “In every timetable change train operators bid to add or amend services, and we are informed in our decision making by what Network Rail tells us is possible.

“In this case, Network Rail provided evidence and recommended that ORR decline the applications to secure better reliability on the network as a whole. 

“We would welcome the opportunity to work with Network Rail and train operators should they consider that there is room for these services in future timetables.”

Several commuters who use the route have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the news.

One said: “Another kick in the teeth for Blackpool.”

Another added: “The reason why no one is using Avanti, is because the prices of their train tickets is crazy.

“Avanti trains are always cancelled or delayed. Get rid of them!”

News of the route cancellations come as a blow to the seaside town that is hoping to attract more tourists as it plans to spend £459,000 on revamping its major tourist attractions.

This includes the Winter Gardens, which first opened back in 1878.

A £300million project is also in the works to improve Blackpool’s Golden Mile, with a new indoor entertainment complex with rides, restaurants and bars.

Last month, passengers were left furious as Avanti revealed it would run an empty ghost train to London.

The rail regulator ruled that the weekday morning service from Manchester to London would run without passengers for five months.

A spokesperson for the ORR told the BBC that the decision was based on “robust evidence” from Network Rail, arguing that running the service with no passengers would allow more flexibility to better assist with “service recovery”.

However, this has since been reversed.

In other rail news, here’s the first look at the new Great British Railways trains being rolled out across the UK.

Plus, Eurostar reveals plans for direct trains from UK to new European country for first time ever.

Ahead of one of the busiest times to travel, the National Rail has issued a warning and outlined some of the changes that could impact your train journey during the festive season

Train travel changes to be aware of between Christmas and New Year

• Plan and check your journey before you travel
• There will be no National Rail services running on Christmas Day
• Most train operators will not be in service on Boxing Day. However, there will be very limited services on some train operators, including Chiltern Railways, London Overground, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southern and Stansted Express
• Timetables could be subject to change during the festive period, including late-notice changes, which runs from Tuesday, 23 December, until Friday, 2 January
• No trains will run to or from London Liverpool Street station from Saturday, 27 December, to Thursday, 1 January
• No trains will run to or from London Waterloo Station or Vauxhall on Saturday, 27 December, and Sunday, 28 December
• Bus replacements will be in operation between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby/Northampton from Saturday, 27 December to Sunday, 4 January
• There will be an amended service between Preston and Carlisle from Wednesday, 31 December to Thursday, 15 January
• Bus replacements will be in operation between Carlisle and Lockerbie from Thursday, 1 January, to Wednesday, 7 January
• An amended service will be in place between Leeds and York from Saturday, 27 December, to Friday, 2 January
• No trains will run between Cambridge and Cambridge North, Bury St Edmunds, and Stansted Airport from Saturday, 27 December, to Sunday, 4 January
• Bus services will replace trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh from Saturday, 27 December, until Wednesday, 31 December

National Rail stated that there will be “lots of planned essential engineering works and upgrades taking place as Network Rail works to improve the railway” over Christmas and the New Year. This may result in changes to train timetables, so it’s best to check your journey before setting off.

For further details or to check your journey, you can visit the National Rail website.

READ MORE: Your refund rights if you face Christmas travel chaos as UK strikes loom