A further step towards the return of a direct Cleethorpes to London rail service has been made with a test of the route and stations by one of LNER’s latest Azuma fleet.
The 31 year void could be set to be filled soon providing the business case gets sign-off with additional funding secured from government.
And LNER’s managing director - on board for the rigorous run through the key stations - said the work done would be a huge help in advancing those discussions. David Horne joined staff as they completed the gauge test, with particular attention given to stepping height and wheelchair access.
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Pleased with how it had gone at the halfway point, with multiple platform approaches conducted, Mr Horne told how new rolling stock had led to the withdrawal back in 1992, but that the “new Azuma gives a lot more flexibility” as the franchise operator investigates “running a Cleethorpes to London service that people are advocating for.”
Local MPs and the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce formed a welcome party, further making the case for connectivity seen as vital.
“The purpose of running the test is to check on some of the operational issues - accessibility issues - that we have to think about, checking stopping distances and safety arrangements, making sure we can operate the train safely,” Mr Horne said.
“The next step is to go back to the commercial and contractual arrangements and funding arrangements with the Department for Transport. We have had a number of constructive discussions, but it will require some additional funding - some further decisions by the Department for Transport - but if we’ve managed to understand what work is required by doing this test, it makes those decisions more informed.”
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May next year has been mooted with new timetables published then and in December. It could be a potential pre-election bonus.
Giving his take on the timeline, Mr Horne said: “It is not feasible for this December at this stage, but hopefully not long after this year. It very much depends on whether we identify anything on testing.”
Long-standing campaigner, Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers, said it was thought an additional cost of £1 million would be seen in the first year. The plan would be to extend the first and last Lincoln to London services, made easier with the Azumas being run from Doncaster where they are held overnight.
Mr Vickers said: “It is a step forward. I have been campaigning for it since 2012, that’s when we started to talk with the regulator, with ministers, and slowly but surely we have got to this point. Myself, Lia Nici, Edward Leigh, and before that Austin (Mitchell), and Melanie (Onn), have all been involved.
“Having a direct train puts us on the map. At King’s Cross Grimsby and Cleethorpes would be on the board. This is such a strong industrial area, it is a major step forward for the local economy, something I feel is really crucial, with all the possibilities it brings for tourism too.”
Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce has been a key unifier in the campaign, working with politicians locally and nationally, while feeding in the business case from the region.
David Hooper, external affairs director, said: “We have been working several years on this now, and we are delighted it is now looking like it is coming to fruition in the next few months. “We have had meetings with LNER in York, with the Department for Transport in London, we’ve brought ministers to the Humber to hear the business voice, and we’ve worked closely with the local MPs and persuaded the councils to pay for key survey, which we think got the attention of LNER. It has been a fantastic effort to get to this stage, and it is very exciting that Grimsby and Cleethorpes may have a direct rail link to the capital soon.”
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Pockets of onlookers had gathered along the route, with some turning out with their cameras on the station.
James Kemp, who lives in Cleethorpes, said: “A direct train service would be the best thing we have had for years. It is 30-odd years since we have had one, yet quite a lot of towns and cities seem to have them like Hull and Lincoln. It would be great for the economy and great for Cleethorpes as people would travel up too, and stay for the weekend.”