This is when Grand Central train services will resume

The company, which runs services from Sunderland and Hartlepool to London, suspended all services at the start of November due to the Covid-19 lockdown and is now urging passengers to book their festive travel in advance.

Services will resume on Thursday, December 3 with trains running to a reduced timetable and only passengers with a reservation will be permitted to travel.

Richard McClean, the managing director of Grand Central, has urged those wanting to travel in December secure their tickets early.

Mr McClean said: “Getting Grand Central trains back out there on our North East and West Riding routes feels like we’re giving ourselves and our passengers an early Christmas present.

“While it’s great to be back, we can’t emphasise enough the need to book your December travel as soon as possible.

“To ensure you can travel with confidence we will continue our on-board social distancing rules, and compulsory face-covering policy.

“We have also taken the decision to make Grand Central services reservation-only which means once our socially-distanced seating is reserved, you will not be able to buy tickets for that service.

“You are welcome to bring your own food and drink with you as we are not yet in a position to reintroduce on-board catering.”

Passengers are reminded that there will be no Grand Central services between December 25 and January 1 due to London’s Kings Cross station undergoing major improvement work.

Those wanting to book travel ahead of the busy festive period can do so by clicking here.

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