Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects a decision from the Office of Road and Rail on the prospect of approving a Newcastle to Brighton rail link.

Grand Central submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on 19 December 2025 for rights to operate Open Access rail services between Newcastle and Brighton.

The application has not been agreed by the infrastructure manager, Network Rail, and ORR is currently carrying out the statutory consultation with Network Rail and Grand Central. Network Rail responded on 30 January 2026 and Grand Central now has until 20 February to respond to Network Rail’s views.

ORR aims to take decisions on access applications within six weeks of the date of receipt of all relevant information.