Chester customers set to benefit from new direct Leeds service

The new Chester – Leeds service, which will run hourly, links the two cities with direct trains for the first time in many years.

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “This new link between Cheshire and Yorkshire will provide fantastic opportunities for our customers to explore all these great counties have to offer.

“Whether it’s a trip to the races, an encounter with wildlife at Chester Zoo, a visit to the famous Royal Armouries, or an away day at Elland Road, our new service will get you there!” 

The train operator is introducing services to provide new connection opportunities and providing more frequent services on existing routes to help economic growth in the North by opening new business, leisure and tourism opportunities.

As well as links between Chester and Leeds, Northern has also introduced enhanced links between Hull and Scarborough, Newcastle and Carlisle and the first weekday service between Sheffield and Gainsborough for almost 30 years.

The May 2019 enhancements will not only add new journey opportunities, they have also been designed to build on the reliability and stability introduced during the timetable changes in December last year.

Chris added: “We are absolutely committed to providing the best possible rail service for our customers and our new timetables will see the introduction of new routes and strengthened links elsewhere in the region.

“We are working hard to provide a more reliable and punctual service and will deliver more than £600m of investment including 101 new trains that will feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and at seat power sockets for customers. By the end of 2019 we will also retire our Pacer trains and will have completed more than £40m improvements at our stations, introducing better lighting, seating, security and new ticket vending machines.”

Highlights of Northern’s timetable enhancements include:

New hourly service between

• Chester and Leeds (via Manchester Victoria)
• Sheffield and Gainsborugh (including weekday services for the first time at Gainsborough Central)

Hourly services between

• Blackpool North and Manchester Airport (via Piccadilly)
• Blackpool North to Hazel Grove (via Piccadilly)
• Preston to Manchester Victoria
• Hull to Scarborough

Other improvements

• Two trains per hour between Newcastle and Carlisle
• Three trains per hour between Harrogate and Leeds
• Faster journeys between Leeds and Lincoln

Full details of the improvements are available now via the Northern website and National Rail Enquiries.