FirstGroup has submitted the first phase of an application for a new open access rail service between London and Sheffield to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

FirstGroup plans to expand its open access rail operations as part of its Hull Trains business, building on their successful existing service which has transformed long-distance connectivity between Hull and London.

The new proposals comprise two return journeys a day from London King’s Cross, calling at Retford, Worksop, Woodhouse and Sheffield, with aims to provide a faster link between London and Sheffield than alternative services.

Close to three quarters of trips between London and Shefield are made by car and 9% by coach, meaning a new rail offering may help stimulate a shift in transport mode from road to rail.

An estimation of 350,000 people located in the Worksop and Woodhouse catchment areas will have direct rail access to London in light of these new proposals, FirstGroup says.

FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, Graham Sutherland said: "We want to leverage our extensive experience of running open access services and repeat the success of Hull Trains and Lumo through this new route that connects London and Sheffield.

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

“The new service will help to drive modal shift from road to rail by 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."

With the application now officially submitted to ORR, a consultation period will follow and discussions with Network Rail will take place. Services could then begin in the second half of 2025.