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Train links in England are fine, but they could be a lot better. Good news, because plans have just been revealed for a new train line that could link Brighton and Newcastle for the first time.
The new railway route could directly connect the south coast with the northeast, travelling via Birmingham, York and London Gatwick. This means travellers would no longer have to change trains in London.
Arriva’s Grand Central brand has submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for permission to start the new service. Here’s everything we know about the potential new route so far.
How long will it take to get from Newcastle to Gatwick?
The travel time hasn’t been revealed yet, but currently the average journey time from Brighton to Newcastle is four hours and 20 minutes. Let’s hope this speeds things up a bit.
Where will the Brighton-Newcastle train stop?
Here’s the full list of proposed stops for the route.
- Newcastle
- Durham
- Darlington
- Northallerton
- York
- Doncaster
- Sheffield
- Derby
- Burton-on-Trent
- Birmingham New Street
- Warwick Parkway
- Banbury
- Oxford
- Reading
- Wokingham
- Guildford
- Redhill
- London Gatwick
- Haywards Heath
- Brighton
When will the route come into service?
If approved, the route is expected to run five services per day in each direction, starting in December 2026.
Paul Hutchings, managing director of Arriva UK Trains’ rail services, said: ‘We’re committed to connecting communities and enabling more people to travel in ways that are convenient and sustainable, so we’re very pleased to be submitting this application for the first direct service between Newcastle and Brighton, opening up new travel opportunities and making better use of available network capacity – all while building on Grand Central’s proud history of connecting traditionally underserved communities.’
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