Direct train line to London would be 'single best thing' for Lincolnshire says MP
Market Rasen’s MP has renewed calls for a direct London rail connection to parts of the county, claiming the area “really needs it”.
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh has campaigned for years to extend direct trains from London to Market Rasen, and onto Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
A test run took place in 2023, although the government has yet to give the rail link the go-ahead.
The daily service stopped in the 1990s, and Sir Edward says it would be a huge boost for the region.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday (February 12), he asked that ministers give it another look.
“The single best thing we could do to promote economic growth in Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire would be a through-train from Grimsby and Cleethorpes, via Market Rasen and Lincoln to London,” he said.
“Grimsby is one of the largest towns in England without a through-train to London.
“[Brigg & Immingham MP Martin Vickers] and I have campaigned relentlessly for this.
“The Rail Minister gave us a very good interview and we were very encouraged.
“There’s nothing party-political about this. It’s all about economic growth in an area which really needs it.
“I beg the Secretary of State. She just has to lift her finger and get our train. We’ve had our test run and it can happen.”
In response, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I will be sure to have a further conversation with the Rail Minister to be updated on the latest conversations that have happened.”
She added it had been a “definitive no” to Sir Edward’s previous request to name a train after the late former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The direct service from London currently terminates in Lincoln, with passengers being required to change to travel onwards.
LNER previously said that lots of detailed testing had to be carried out before any new routes were added.