Four daily direct Blackpool-London trains cut to two

Blackpool is to have its four daily direct services to and from London Euston reduced to two a day from next week, one train in each direction.

The two weekday trains being scrapped by Avanti are the 09:39 London Euston to Blackpool North service and the 12:52 Blackpool North to London Euston.

The 05:35 Blackpool North to London Euston service will still run on weekdays along with the 17:40 London Euston to Blackpool North.

Avanti said the services were being cut because the regulator, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), had implemented restrictions. The ORR said Network Rail had recommended the changes for "better reliability on the network as a whole". Network Rail has been asked to comment.

Avanti added it was putting on more services from Liverpool and would reinstate a morning service from Manchester.

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: "We are disappointed with the Office of Rail and Road's decision not to grant access rights from December.

"This will clearly impact those customers who already use these services."

They added: "However, we will still be delivering even more services across our network from the start of the December timetable, including further additional trains on our Liverpool route."

Avanti added its London to north-west England service had been boosted by the ORR's decision to reinstate the 07:00 Manchester to London weekday service, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The ORR reversed a decision not to run the 07:00 GMT Avanti West Coast service from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston with passengers, known as a "ghost train", after a public backlash.

An ORR spokesperson said: "We recognise that passengers will be disappointed that these services will not be in the timetable from December.

"In every timetable change train operators bid to add or amend services, and we are informed in our decision making by what Network Rail tells us is possible.

"In this case, Network Rail provided evidence and recommended that ORR decline the applications to secure better reliability on the network as a whole."

They added: "We would welcome the opportunity to work with Network Rail and train operators should they consider that there is room for these services in future timetables."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.