Train operators have announced major changes to existing timetables – including services running to and from Harrogate.

It comes as part of a national shake-up, which includes all operators that run services along the east coast. 

According to the East Coast Main Line, which includes the respective train operators, the new timetables will significantly improve connectivity between Yorkshire, the north east and Scotland to London.

It also hopes to generate £60 million a year through the changes, which it said will be used to further enhance East Coast Main Line services.  

LNER, which operates direct services between Harrogate and London King’s Cross, consulted on the changes in 2021. 

The amended timetable will come into play in December. You can find details on the changes below. 

Weekdays

As part of the new LNER timetable, the first direct train from Harrogate to London King’s Cross will depart at 6.35am on weekdays – arriving in London at 9.30am.

This is just under an hour earlier than the existing first train, which leaves Harrogate at 7.37am.

The first train from London King’s Cross to Harrogate will depart at 6.40am, which will arrive at 9.29am. The first train northbound is currently at 7.33am.

But the existing last train back to Harrogate, which currently departs London King’s Cross at 5.33pm, will be scrapped. Instead, people will have to board the 4.39pm to travel to Harrogate.

However, the final train from Harrogate to London King’s Cross will depart an hour later. The last train currently leaves at 5.36pm, but those travelling to London will be able to leave Harrogate at 6.33pm.

Weekends

On Saturdays, the first train from London King’s Cross will depart at 6.40am – the first train currently leaves at 7.37am – and will arrive in Harrogate at 9.29am.

The first train travelling southbound will leave Harrogate at 6.35am and arrive in London at 9.30am.

The first train to depart London King’s Cross on Sundays will be at 8.36am – arriving in Harrogate at 11.29am – whilst the first southbound train will leave Harrogate at 10.35am.

Currently, the first train leaves Harrogate at 9.15am on a Sunday.

A spokesperson for LNER told the Stray Ferret the operator will increase the number of trains between Harrogate and London King’s Cross per day from six to seven.

The spokesperson also said LNER hopes to introduce an extra northbound train between Harrogate and London King’s Cross, which would leave London an hour later than the existing last train.

LNER hopes this will come to fruition when the new tri-mode fleet – which run on overhead electricity, battery and diesel – is introduced.

Changes to Northern services

Northern Rail trains running to and from Harrogate will also be impacted by the changes.

According to the East Coast Main Line site, Northern will run an extra service between Harrogate and Leeds, meaning there will be five departures from Leeds to Harrogate between 5pm and 6pm.

East Coast Main Line said there Sunday services to Harrogate will not change much, but there will be an earlier service from York to Knaresborough, as well as later trains to and from York.