RAIL bosses have unveiled plans to launch new daily London to Stirling services - with stops in Carlisle and Lockerbie.

Grand Union Trains have confirmed they are hoping to launch the cross-border route, which will start in Euston and use the West Coast Main Line, from May 2021.

Operated by class 91 trains - it would call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Labert - and operate up to four services each day.

While the plans remain subject to approval from the Office of Road and Rail, plus the Department for Transport, the company hopes the route will add more choice for those travelling south the capital and north into Scotland..

Ian Yeowart, chief executive of Grand Union said: “We have started discussions with stakeholders about making this a reality, focusing on delivering a number of new direct journey opportunities including linking a number of central Scotland stations directly with London.

“We are very grateful for the positive response we have received.”