LEP lobbies for better Lincoln rail connections

The Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is lobbying for better rail infrastructure for Lincoln.

Chair of the LEP Ursula Lidbetter wrote a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin, stating that Lincoln needed better rail services to London in order to improve economic growth and tourism in the region.

One of Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s priorities is improved road and rail infrastructure.

Ursula Lidbetter, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership

In her letter Ursula Lidbetter said:

“Lincoln is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, with successful and fast-growing higher education facilities, a strong SME community combined with expertise in manufacturing and agri-food, and plans for significant housing and economic growth in the medium term.

“Within the last five years, there has been substantial population and business growth and Lincoln has strengthened its role as a sub-regional centre for service and employment. In particular I want to emphasise Lincoln as a visitor destination; tourism is the second most important industry in the Lincolnshire economy (after agriculture) and is worth £927 million and 17,175 jobs.

“Lincoln in particular is a growing tourism destination which aims to be a top-rank historic city destination. The £20 million Lincoln Castle Revealed project will see the creation of a purpose-built Magna Carta centre and open access to the grounds. Due for completion in 2015, it is estimated that this will result in a 30 to 50 per cent increase in the value of tourism which equates to an economic impact of between £38 and £68 million.

“I do hope that the Department for Transport will be able to support the LEP’s plans for economic growth across Greater Lincolnshire and that we have demonstrated the economic demand for an increased service to and from London.”