MP challenges delay to proposed LNER London-Cleethorpes service

Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn has questioned the delay in introducing a new LNER service between Cleethorpes and London.

Plans to re-establish a direct train between north-east Lincolnshire and the capital were put on hold because of timetabling, financial, operational and infrastructure issues (RAIL 1020). The last direct services had been withdrawn in 1992.

Onn tabled a Commons Written Question on January 15, asking the Transport Secretary to state “what recent progress she has made on discussions to establish a direct rail link between London and Cleethorpes”.

A reply from Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “We are working with industry to understand the timetabling, financial, operational and infrastructure issues that would need to be resolved before a service to Cleethorpes could be introduced, once the East Coast Main Line timetable change has been implemented this December.

“Infrastructure and operational assessments made by LNER and Network Rail have confirmed that LNER services could call at Cleethorpes and Grimsby without major infrastructure changes.

“However, for LNER trains to serve Market Rasen station, significant infrastructure work, estimated to cost £15 million to £20m, would be required.

“The introduction of this service would be subject to funding and a thorough business case process.”

Both Melanie Onn and Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers, who has campaigned for more than a decade for a reinstated through train, believe the service could start before any work to improve Market Rasen station, with trains running non-stop through the Lincolnshire town until the station is ready to accommodate LNER’s Azuma trains.

On June 26 2023, a test Azuma train travelled from Doncaster calling at Barnetby, Grimsby Town, Cleethorpes and Market Rasen to perform a series of platform and train validations.