South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has given a cautious welcome to the news that the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has backed plans for Grand Union Trains to start a new train service between London and Stirling from June 2025, which includes stops at Lockerbie station.

The company will introduce four return services per day between London Euston and Stirling stations, calling at Milton Keynes Central, Nuneaton, Crewe (subject to agreement between Grand Union Trains and Network Rail), Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.

Colin Smyth said: “It was appalling that the UK Government extended Avanti Rail’s franchise to run trains between London and Glasgow and Edinburgh given how poor their service is.

“More Avanti trains to London pass through Lockerbie station without stopping, than actually stop.

“Grand Union Trains have identified a gap the UK Government and Avanti failed to spot by proposing this service to London from Lockerbie.

“The fact the trains won’t go to Edinburgh and Glasgow will obviously limit their use north from Lockerbie but I hope the new service happens and proves successful as there is a desperate need to improve the woeful service from Lockerbie.”