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APPROVAL has been given for Alliance Rail Holdings to run direct trains between London Euston and Blackpool using Class 91s and Mk 4s.

The trains are likely to start in September 2019. Initially five trains will run, with a sixth to follow.

Alliance says 2,630 seats will be available as a result. Trains will serve Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham and Weston, Preston, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes Central.

The new services will bring £31 million in employment benefits to the region, £106.9m in additional visitor spend and £44m in environmental and safety benefits, all measured until 2026.

In a statement, the open access rail operator said: “We are delighted that the Office of Rail and Road has approved our application to deliver new direct rail services linking towns and cities between Blackpool and London. We expect our plans to lead to growth of the market for rail travel, a better journey experience, innovation and lower fares. Passengers will also have the choice who they wish to travel with.”

Journey times are expected to be around three hours.

The application was made on behalf of Great North Western Railway (GNWR), which is owned by Arriva and is a sister company of Grand Central, which runs open access services on the East Coast Main Line between London King’s Cross, Bradford and Sunderland.

The GNWR trains will be formed of a Class 91, six Mk 4s and a Driving Van Trailer. Each set will feature a first class and buffet coach. They will be limited to 110mph until work on the route is undertaken regarding the speed profile for non-tilting stock.

Around 90 jobs will be created, mostly in the North West.

The ‘91s’ and Mk 4s will be leased from Eversholt Rail and will be made redundant early next year by the introduction of Class 800/801s by LNER on the ECML.