Grand Central Cleethorpes-King's Cross service "would not affect ECML capacity"

Further details have been released regarding the planned Cleethorpes-London King's Cross service proposed by Grand Central (GC).

The open access operator announced last month that it was planning on launching the service in December 2026.  If approved, it will end Cleethorpes’ 30-year absence of a direct link to London.

Initially, there were concerns that the service would add to the already crowded East Coast Main Line (ECML). However, in its application form currently with Network Rail for industry consultation, the Arriva-owned firm has said that its proposed service won’t affect capacity on the line.

Network Rail has been concerned about capacity on the ECML and recently published a congested infrastructure notice between Huntingdon North Junction and Peterborough’s New England North Junction.

However, GC is proposing these additional services would utilise existing paths between London and Doncaster with no additional capacity needed. It did also confirm that it was working with Network Rail regarding platforming at King’s Cross – confirming that it would be operating with a 10-car rake.

"The new services will make the best use of available capacity, utilising existing GC train paths on the ECML to deliver new direct services, at a time when ECML capacity is heavily constrained," the operator said.

The application confirms that GC will be running four trains per day over seven days between Doncaster and Cleethorpes with stops at Scunthorpe, Habrough and Grimsby Town, before coupling with existing services at Doncaster.

The proposed timetable outlines that the service would have a 15-minute slot at Doncaster for each service to either uncouple or couple before finishing its journey towards Cleethorpes or King’s Cross.

The proposed timetable which GC hopes to begin in December 2026, would see the first service depart Cleethorpes at 0700. After reacging Doncaster at 0812 it combines with the service from Bradford Interchange before arriving at King’s Cross at 1003. Further departures from Cleethorpes at 0835, 1542 and 1648 are also proposed. Northbound trains would arrive at 1409, 1609, 2248 and 2349.

It has also requested rights for two extra stops at Peterborough to existing services that are attached to the Cleethorpes application with the Bradford-King’s Cross service. GC proposes coupling the Cleethorpes service at Doncaster,  before making an additional stop at Peterborough – with the return services to Bradford/Cleethorpes making two additional stops at Peterborough.

GC has also said it would be planning to stable at least one train per night at Cleethorpes whilst promising to explore “stationing a crew base” and “creating job opportunities” in the North Lincolnshire town.

As previously expected, the application also outlines that it plans to use either 221s or 180s until its new bi-mode fleet is ready. It recently announced it was to replace its diesel multiple unit fleet with Hitachi’s first UK tri-mode sets in an order worth around £300 million.