Plans to introduce new direct train services linking London with Wrexham, Rochdale and Blackpool have been rejected after Britain’s rail regulator concluded that the West Coast Main Line does not have enough capacity to accommodate additional trains without worsening delays.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rejected applications from Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway for four daily return services between Wrexham and London Euston, as well as Lumo’s proposal for up to four return services between Rochdale and London. Avanti West Coast’s request for additional London-Blackpool services was also turned down.
The regulator said the southern section of the West Coast Main Line remains under significant pressure, with timetable gaps currently needed to give trains enough recovery time when disruptions occur. Adding more services, it said, could reduce that resilience and allow delays to spread across the network.
The decision follows similar applications that were rejected in 2025 because of limited capacity on the route. An external review commissioned by the ORR also supported its latest assessment.
However, the regulator approved Avanti’s existing weekday 7:29 p.m. Chester-to-Euston service to carry passengers until December 2030. The train already operates as an empty service, meaning the approval will allow passengers to use an existing journey without adding another train to the route.
The decision is likely to disappoint communities and operators seeking more direct connections with London, while keeping attention on the need for additional capacity and infrastructure improvements on one of Britain’s busiest rail corridors.
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