Grand Central plans new direct Cleethorpes London service

Rail operator Arriva has announced plans to introduce a direct rail service between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, and London. The company has formally submitted an open access application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), aiming to extend Grand Central’s existing route from Doncaster.

The company is hoping that thew new service could begin in December 2026. If approved, it will end Cleethorpes’ 30-year absence of a direct link to London, and will be a move welcomed by campaigners who have long advocated for improved rail connectivity in the region.

The proposal outlines plans for four daily return services between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, and London’s King’s Cross. It will also involve stops at Habrough and Scunthorpe before joining the East Coast Mainline at Doncaster.

Amanda Furlong, Interim Managing Director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, highlighted the importance of the move: “Arriva wants to make travelling by train as accessible as possible, and this proposal will offer a much-needed, direct connection between major Lincolnshire towns and the capital. This will provide significant benefits for communities and businesses, driving long-term economic growth for the region.”

The publically owned LNER had initially planned to run direct services between Cleethorpes and London by extending its Lincoln to King’s Cross service, starting in December, however it shelved its plans due to issues with infrastructure at Market Rasen and potential capacity concerns on the ECML.

This planned service however would avoid the Grimsby – Newark line. LNER confirmed to RAIL it is currently still pursuing its plans on establishing its new service.

Paul Hutchings, Managing Director responsible for Grand Central, said: “We’re excited about the opportunity to reconnect Cleethorpes to London with new direct services, the first of their kind since 1992. If approved, these services will play a pivotal role in driving regional growth by linking underserved communities to key commercial opportunities, benefiting both local businesses and passengers.

Network Rail has recently been carrying out power modelling for Grand Central’s use of overhead line equipment on the East Coast mainline. The company is looking to replace its Class 180 DMUs with five-car bi mode units if its track access rights between London King’s Cross, Bradford and Sunderland are extended. It is unclear at the moment if Grand Central plan on ordering new units.

The new service could have a significant impact on the local economy. A study by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that a Cleethorpes-London service could generate up to £30.1 million annually for the regional economy.

Melanie Onn, Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said: “It has been an ongoing project for many years to try and reestablish the direct service and one that is backed by business, local leaders, and the community as a whole. This isn’t just about attracting future investment into our town; it’s about addressing missed economic and social opportunities due to current poor connectivity.”