June 22, 2018 10.34 am This story is over 69 months old

Scunthorpe to London rail link making positive tracks

The service could possibly start in 2020

Councillor Rob Waltham MBE, leader, North Lincolnshire Council and Chris Brandon, Programme Manager, Grand Central. Photo: North Lincolnshire Council

A proposed direct train link from Scunthorpe to London could start in 2020 if the bid receives support from the rail regulator.

An extensive survey of North Lincolnshire residents last month received a high level of response with 97% of the 1,466 people taking part in support of the proposal.

An additional 57 residents expressed their support by letter or email.

Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Rob Waltham MBE, presented the findings of the survey to Programme Manager at Grand Central Chris Brandon.

Survey findings

When travelling to London the majority of respondents start their journey from Scunthorpe Station, with clear evidence of need in Barnetby and Crowle as well.

The key factor for respondents is to avoid changing trains.

However, the main concern for residents if the service progresses is the provision of station parking and 74% of respondents who travel by train park at the train station or a car park nearby, or are dropped off by car.

Councillor Waltham said: “It was an interesting meeting and gave me the opportunity to convey how strongly residents feel about having a direct rail service from North Lincolnshire stations to London.

“I am hopeful that the findings of this survey will provide strong evidence for a potential service in the future. Such a service would help enormously and would open up the opportunity for more businesses and residents to invest, visit and live in North Lincolnshire.

“Grand central are working hard to establish a bid to the regulator and the evidence of support from North Lincolnshire residents can only help with this business case.

“I received a number of really positive letters about our bid for this service. However residents were also clear that their facilities would need to improve and increase at local train stations if this service is likely to go ahead. We will be using this data to present the strongest possible case.”

Chris Brandon from Grand Central added: “We are grateful for the market research undertaken by North Lincolnshire Council and look forward to being able to use the information in developing our plans. We are currently in the process of refining our proposals and hope to be in a position to take forward an application to the Office of Rail and Road in the near future.”