May 13, 2015 2.39 pm This story is over 106 months old

Improved Lincoln to Nottingham train service to start next week

Upgrades: Rail passengers travelling between Lincoln and Nottingham will benefit from extra services and faster trains from next week.
The improved Castle Line service will begin on May 18. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Rail passengers travelling between Lincoln and Nottingham will benefit from extra services and faster trains from next week.

East Midlands Trains pledged the improvements to the Castle Line in September 2014 after a £2 million boost in government funding.

The new, improved timetable will begin on Monday, May 18 and has been developed to coincide with the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, which should result in an increase in the amount of tourists visiting the city.

Passengers using Lincoln Central will have quicker journeys and more services, including:

  • Extra weekday morning service to Nottingham
  • Additional evening train from Nottingham
  • Faster journey times for the majority of services to and from Nottingham

Passengers using Hykeham will benefit from:

  • Most frequent ever service
  • Extra 14 trains per day, an increase of 50%
  • Extra morning peak service to Nottingham
  • Extra evening service from Nottingham
  • Faster journey times for the majority of services to and from Nottingham
The Castle Line improvements have finished in time for the Magna Carta anniversary celebrations. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Castle Line improvements have finished in time for the Magna Carta anniversary celebrations. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

County Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Fourteen extra trains every day is an incredible achievement and is a crucial investment in the local area.

“Public transport is the lifeblood for the local economy – an improved train network will also mean less traffic congestion on our roads and fewer emissions.

“Our bold ambition is to continue this work and improve our service from the Midlands all the way up to Grimsby, providing a regular, reliable service connecting our county, instead of the one or two trains per day currently.

“This can be achieved through continuing to work in partnership with forward-thinking district councils like in nearby North Kesteven, as we have done with this project.”

Lincolnshire County Council, neighbouring county authorities and district councils all pledged money towards the scheme. The councils and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have committed a combined £205,000 per year for three years to trial the scheme.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader of City of Lincoln Council, said: “This is absolutely something we’ve been waiting for for many years.

“The improved service will promote economic growth in the city, increase employment, reduce traffic congestion and see commuters and tourists alike use the train to visit Lincoln.

“Eventually, I would like to see the electrification of the line as is seen in other parts of the country – a lot is said of how the trains between Lincoln and Nottingham are no quicker than they were 100 years ago. I’m certain we’re capable of delivering significant improvements in this regard.”

Simon Taylor, Head of Network Development at East Midlands Trains

Simon Taylor, Head of Network Development at East Midlands Trains. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Simon Taylor, Head of Network Development at East Midlands Trains, said: “The updates will provide huge improvements and opportunities for people living in Lincoln.

“This is the first step in planned improvements for the next few years. The Nottingham-Lincoln stakeholder board has an aspiration to extend the weekend services and we will continue to work with them to look at what might be possible.”

The new timetable is available on the East Midlands Trains website.