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London Northwestern Railway to launch direct Birmingham-Manchester Airport service
London Northwestern Railway has announced a phased expansion of its rail services to establish a direct link between Birmingham New Street and Manchester Airport. The project aims to improve regional connectivity and provide a more sustainable alternative to driving.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on December 13, 2026. This initial stage will extend services to cover a corridor between Birmingham and Crewe, stopping at 12 stations, including the recently reopened Willenhall and Darlaston stations. These stations were reopened following an £85 million investment by the West Midlands transport authority.
The second phase is set to launch in May 2027, extending the route northward to Manchester Airport. Once fully operational, the service will run hourly and stop at 17 stations, including Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Wilmslow, and Styal, providing direct access between the two major transport hubs without the need for transfers at Crewe or Manchester city centre.
Entities
Birmingham New Street · London Northwestern Railway · Manchester Airport · Richard Parker · West Midlands
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The completed service will run on an hourly schedule. ca.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The first phase of the service begins on December 13, 2026, running between Birmingham and Crewe. rayhaber.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The second phase will extend the service to Manchester Airport in May 2027. raillynews.com · rayhaber.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] London Northwestern Railway will launch a direct train service between Birmingham New Street and Manchester Airport in two phases. raillynews.com · rayhaber.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The West Midlands Transport Authority invested £85 million to reopen Willenhall and Darlaston stations. rayhaber.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The full direct service to Manchester Airport will stop at 17 stations. ca.news.yahoo.com