OPEN access operator Grand Central has scrapped its plan to run services between London and Blackpool.
In a statement, the company said: ‘Following months of exploring all options to launch the proposed expansion of services to the North West route as planned, it is not now viable due to the economic uncertainty and changed travel patterns caused by Covid-19.’
The statement continued: ‘Employees who may be affected by the decision have been advised of the potential risk to jobs, and suppliers and stakeholders are being briefed.’
Grand Central managing director Richard McClean said: ‘So much effort has been put into these exciting plans to launch services between London and Blackpool, that it is heart-breaking to have to abandon them at this point but the pandemic and its effect on our expansion plans have just proved too big an obstacle.’