NORTHERN has announced extra rail services between Newcastle and Carlisle.

As part of the May timetable switch, the rail operator will introduce an extra train each hour between the two cities, opening up new journey opportunities for customers on the route.

Anna Weeks, regional director at Northern, said: “We’re delighted to be able to strengthen the links between Newcastle and Carlisle – doubling the number of trains on weekdays and Saturdays and giving some stations on the route three trains per hour."

As part of the train operator’s May timetable changes, there will be a number of new services to provide new connection opportunities and more frequent services on existing routes.

Northern said the May 2019 enhancements – coupled with changes to timings – would not only add new journey opportunities, but have also been designed to build on the reliability and stability introduced during the timetable changes in December last year.

Anna added: “We are absolutely committed to providing the best possible rail service for our customers and our new timetables will see the introduction of new routes and services and strengthened links elsewhere in the region.

“We have also introduced some fantastic fares on the Tyne Valley – just £3 to travel between Newcastle and Carlisle – so our customers not only get better services, they also now get better value.

“We are working hard to provide a more reliable and punctual service and will deliver more than hundreds of millions of pounds of investment including the complete refurbishment of our fleet of trains, improvements at our stations and, of course, the retirement of our Pacer trains.”