Rail operator GNER has submitted an application to create an hourly high-speed express train service that would cut journey times between London and Edinburgh by about half an hour.

Under the proposals new nine-carriage ‘Pendolino’ trains would be introduced, cutting journey times because they can maintain speed around bends in the track.

The proposal would also mean a London-to-Newcastle journey time of less than two-and-a-half hours.

Should the application be successful, the new service would start in December 2016.

Ian Yeowart, managing director of Alliance Rail Holdings, GNER's parent company said: “With so many northern communities benefiting from open access services, it would be extremely unfortunate if the opportunity to introduce a new open access high speed service by 2016 was not taken.”