Guest column: Chance to lobby for extra trains

During the 10 years that I have lived in Gainsborough one destination has proved hard to reach.
Nottingham station could be a terminus for trains from Gainsborough CentralNottingham station could be a terminus for trains from Gainsborough Central
Nottingham station could be a terminus for trains from Gainsborough Central

Nottingham, known as the Queen of the Midlands, is only 46 miles away but getting there is a slow process.

Driving outside of peak times you can reach Nottingham in 90 minutes, but you will need somewhere to park.

Going by train, with a change at Lincoln takes two hours.

There could be an easy way to reach Nottingham, a direct train service from Gainsborough Central.

By extending the Nottingham to Worksop trains to Cleethorpes via Gainsborough and Brigg every two hours, a direct service to Mansfield and Nottingham, and in the other direction Barnetby ( a 10 minute taxi ride from Humberside Airport), Grimsby and Cleethorpes becomes available to Gainsborough residents .

Nottingham by train would then be 90 minutes from Gainsborough, the same time as it takes to drive there.

At Hucknall there is an easy cross platform change onto NET, Nottingham’s trams, which will take you though the heart of the city and to the Queens Medical Centre and the University.

Of course direct trains to Gainsborough Central from Nottingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes will open our town to more visitors and shoppers.

How can the Government’s Department for Transport (DfT) be persuaded that this is an idea worth doing?

The East Midland rail franchise is due to be renewed next year.

Soon, we hope, the DfT will open public consultation on the proposed new franchise. That will be the time to respond to the DfT.

To help us put the case for extending the Robin Hood lIne trains to Cleethorpes we need to gather evidence of the journeys that would be made on this route.

Please fill in our online survey at https://eSurv.org?u=NNLCRP

Meanwhile don’t forget that there are three trains on Saturdays that take you to Brigg, Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

It is possible to have a fun day at the seaside. Trains depart Central station at 9.02am and 1.04pm.

Last year Northern Rail reduced fares on this line.

An adult day return to Cleethorpes from Gainsborough Central is £13.

Car parking at Central station costs juts £1 on Saturday.

However, due to the RMT strike at Northern Rail, there will be no trains this Saturday.