By Daniel Walton
Copyright expressandstar
Train operator CrossCountry has warned of timetable changes from December 14 as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable review.
The changes will see additional services run from Reading and Newcastle, and between Birmingham and Leicester.
The changes to the December timetables come as part of the industry-wide update to the schedule on the East Coast Main Line corridor, which includes services for other services using the rail line.
The changes promise an increase in CrossCountry services, with significant improvements being made to Birmingham and Leicester lines on both weekdays and weekends, as well as Sunday travel.
However, following the announcement of significant engineering works across the rail network from Christmas 2025 until the end of January, the new timetable will not come into full effect until February 2025.
Siona Rolfe, managing director at CrossCountry, said: “The December 2025 timetable marks the reintroduction of important CrossCountry services between Reading and Newcastle, as well as between Birmingham and Leicester.
“These changes will help us continue delivering reliable, comfortable journeys for our customers, while supporting the wider transformation of the timetable on the East Coast Main Line.”
The planned refurbishment to the CrossCountry’s long-distance Boyager fleet has also begun, with the first refurbished train expected to hit the rails by Spring 2026.
Those travelling from December 14 onwards are urged to check their journeys with their train operators ahead of time to see changes to their regular travel plans, with CrossCountry saying to check on the train operator’s website, or through National Rail enquiries.
