The UK Government has confirmed an extension of the Grand Central rail service connecting Sunderland to London.
In a letter to Cllr Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, the Minister of State for Rail, Peter Hendy, Baron Hendy of Richmond Hill, has confirmed Grand Central’s application to extend its track access contract by 11 years has been approved by the regulator.
The extension means Grand Central will continue operating services until 2038 and that services connecting Sunderland and London King’s Cross will increase from five to six trains per day, offsetting the recent loss of the London North Eastern Railways service connecting the city to the capital.
Cllr Mordey wrote to the Minister earlier this year to ask for an update on the Government’s plans for the service, after a motion was passed at Full Council calling for Sunderland City Council to urge the Government to do all it can to retain the city’s six daily services to the capital.
He said: “We are delighted that the extension of Grand Central’s track access will see it expand its vital service connecting Sunderland and London.
“This is a huge win for our city and is testament to the strength of the business case put forward by our residents, businesses and council leaders to ensure the city retains its six daily services connecting us to the capital.
“Sunderland is undergoing a transformation not seen in generations, with billions of pounds of inward investment reshaping the city skyline and maintaining these vital connections will ensure the city remains accessible, not only to those commuting to and from the capital for work, but also to businesses looking to invest here and tourists visiting the city.
“We’d like to thank everyone who lent their support to the campaign and of course the Minister of State for Rail and the UK Government for getting behind us and helping to make it happen. It is a fantastic result for the city and is another example of how this Labour Government is delivering for the people of Sunderland.”
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) announced that it would axe its once-a-day service connecting Sunderland to London last year, with the final train calling at the station on 13th December.
The news broke just a few months after the completion of phase one of the redevelopment of Sunderland’s central rail station, which saw the multi-million-pound of its southern entrance transformed, leading to calls from politicians of all political persuasions to fight for the sixth service to be retained.
Cllr Mordey added: “This extra service will be a hugely welcome boost for the city, particularly given the ongoing redevelopment of Sunderland station.
“Once complete, the multi-million-pound redevelopment will see a new, fit-for-the-future station replace the current building and more rail capacity added to the lines, and this decision by Grand Central is very much a vote of confidence in those plans, further demonstrating what we all know, that Sunderland is every bit a city on the up.”