The rail regulator rejected plans for direct train services running from London to Wrexham and Rochdale. The Office of Rail and Road stated that the crowded west coast main line lacked the necessary space to accommodate the two proposed separate train services.
Furthermore, the regulator vetoed Avanti's plans for extra London-Blackpool train services. Previously, the ORR had also dismissed the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway Company's (WSMR) proposal for a new independent open access service connecting Wrexham and the capital.
The regulator maintained that these new routes would still endanger the overall reliability of the railway network. Proposals for a new Lumo service connecting London and Rochdale also met with rejection.
However, the ORR did approve one additional London-Chester evening service operated by Avanti. The regulator asserted that its assessment, supported by external reviews, found that the capacity and performance of the southern section of the west coast main line had not materially changed since similar applications were rejected in 2025.
Stephanie Tobyn, ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform, commented that while new services and destinations offer real benefits for passengers and communities, the west coast main line already faces significant pressure, with performance showing limited resilience on a heavily used part of the rail network. Adding more trains to the existing timetable, the regulator stated, would diminish the ability to recover during disruptions, thereby increasing the risk of delays spreading and worsening network reliability for all passengers.
