YORK’S council leader has welcomed plans to provide 40 new train carriages on routes which pass through York.

The Government proposals would lead to longer, faster trains and 12,000 extra seats and include extra carriages for First TransPennine Express networks between Manchester and Scotland.

“Any increase of capacity on this busy route is to be welcomed,” said James Alexander, City of York Council leader. “One of York’s key attributes is its central location and with journey times of under two hours to London, connectivity to other cities in the north, including Leeds and Newcastle, will further enhance York’s status as one of the region’s economic powerhouses.”