A plan for a new, faster London-Sheffield train service has been unveiled

A new, faster train service between London and Sheffield could be launched in the second half of 2025.

Transport company FirstGroup has announced plans to operate two daily return journeys from London King’s Cross to the South Yorkshire city via Retford, Worksop and Woodhouse as part of its Hull Trains business.

This would create competition for East Midlands Railway, which operates direct services between London St Pancras and Sheffield, taking around two hours.

FirstGroup said it aims to provide a faster link between the capital and Sheffield than existing services. He stated that almost three-quarters of trips between cities are currently made by car, with another 9% by coach.

A new railway offer “at competitive prices” will “help stimulate a change in the chosen mode of transport from road to rail”, he claims.

The proposal will also give Worksop, Nottinghamshire, its first regular direct train service to London in decades.

FirstGroup has submitted the first phase of an application to run the service to the regulatory authority the Office of Rail and Road.

A consultation will be launched soon.

The service would operate on an open-access basis, meaning the company would receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies and bear all revenue risks.

Most UK train operators are paid an administration fee, with the UK and devolved governments holding responsibility for costs and revenue.

Hull Trains currently operate up to seven daily services between London King’s Cross and Hull/Beverley.

FirstGroup’s other open access service, Lumo, launched in October 2021 and runs between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh.

Graham Sutherland, the company’s chief executive, said: “We want to take advantage of our extensive experience of running open access services and repeat the success of Hull Trains and Lumo with this new route linking London and Sheffield.

“We have seen the level of growth and opportunity possible with open access, as well as the positive effect it can have on the wider market, including the economic and environmental benefits.

“The new service will help promote the modal shift from road to rail, offering customers a more sustainable travel alternative between the two cities.

“We will be working closely with stakeholders as we build our application and our case for this new offering.”