Hopes for a direct train link between Grimsby and London sit on Transport Secretary Grant Shapps鈥 desk, in a month where a Budget aimed at levelling up the country will be delivered.
With HS2 grabbing huge headlines at 拢360 million a mile of new infrastructure, all involved sense a real possibility of extending the run of the LNER service up from Lincoln - with first and last trains targeted initially.
Key constituency MPs Lia Nici, Martin Vickers and Edward Leigh (Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Market Rasen) signed off a letter initiated by Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, with the business organisation having worked alongside key regulatory stakeholders to return a vital link not seen for nearly 30 years.
Now a response is awaited, with March 11鈥檚 fiscal highlight seen as offering potential for a signal of intent from the government.聽聽聽聽
It could then start in December this year or May next, potentially terminating at Cleethorpes.
Updating during the Chamber鈥檚 AGM, Dr Ian Kelly, chief executive paid tribute to the work of external affairs manager David Hooper, on the 鈥渕ost interesting lobby issue鈥 of the year. He said: 鈥淭he Chamber, with Alan Johnson (former Hull West and Hessle MP) and Hull City Council, got us the Hull Trains service a decade or so ago and now we have been working with LNER, the Department for Transport and Transport for the North, garnering their support as well in terms of getting that direct service on a probationary basis - departing early and coming back to Grimsby on an evening.
鈥淚f that works it may become more regular - just as we started off with Hull. If there is demand then that would be a great addition, especially as Grimsby has got the Town Deal, the regeneration partnership led by David Ross, trying to bring money in to the town for the football club to the Kasbah and other places.鈥
The role of the Energy Estuary, enhanced ports and logistics and the continued growth of the major seafood players are seen as drivers - with Phillips 66 alone requiring 800 journeys a year.
It would also be a huge boost to inward investment, with the work on the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme continuing.
A study by North East Lincolnshire鈥檚 regeneration partner Engie is finalising also, outlining demand.
