A new rail franchise has been launched to improve journeys on some of London's busiest routes.

The Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise will provide new trains, more seats and faster journeys for millions of passengers across the capital.

Initially, Brighton, King’s Lynn, Peterborough, Cambridge, Bedford, Luton and Gatwick will be served. A number of other destinations, including Southampton, Milton Keynes, Hastings, Eastbourne and Sevenoaks, are to be added over the next year.

The seven-year franchise, which will play a key role in delivering the government’s £6.5 billion Thameslink Programme, was awarded to Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd earlier this year. 

Infrastructure and fleet improvements to be carried out under the upgrade programme will provide over 1,100 new carriages, resulting in a 50 per cent capacity boost and 10,000 extra seats every weekday into central London during the morning peak by the end of 2018.

Rail minister Claire Perry said: "The new TSGN franchise will be at the forefront of the massive investment we are making in the rail network in London and the south-east."