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A direct train route between Cardiff and Edinburgh will launch next month. The service on the 455 mile route from rail operating company CrossCountry will stop at 22 stations between the Welsh and Scottish capitals, including Birmingham New Street.

The new weekday service is being introduced as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable change, which is being rolled out from December 15th.

The new service will be formed by long-distance Voyager services departing from Cardiff and Penzance in the morning, joining together at Birmingham New Street, before proceeding north to Edinburgh.

On the southbound journey at Gloucester the service will split into two, with one half of the train travelling to Cardiff and the other terminating at Plymouth.

There will be one service in each direction between Cardiff and Edinburgh on weekdays only.

Scott Maynard, CrossCountry’s interim managing director, said: “We’re delighted to introduce this new service joining Cardiff and Edinburgh directly by rail for the very first time – meaning even more connections for customers across the length and breadth of the country.

“Thanks to colleagues across CrossCountry and the wider rail industry for their support in delivering these new services linking two of Great Britain’s capital cities, as well as many other key towns and cities in between.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “We are always happy to support new services that offer more choice for passengers. Connecting two capital cities of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ in a sustainable way is a positive development.”