New direct journeys from Lincoln to Leeds are among the improvements set to take place as train operator Northern begins UK track testing for its new trains.
The operator will oversee the complete removal of Pacer trains by the end of 2019 and will invest £500 million in 281 brand new air-conditioned carriages.
It will also run regional and commuter services cross the north until March 2025.
The first of the £500 million new trains made its debut trial run on the UK network on Monday, September 17 and the trains are now going through their first round of dynamic testing on the UK rail network.
The testing will continue into the autumn as Northern gets ready to launch the first new train into service by the end of the year.
Customers will experience an upgrade on every one of 98 new trains, with features including free customer Wifi, air conditioning, at-seat power and seat reservation systems.
Other improvements
Other improvements on the Northern network include more than 2,000 extra services each week, with 400 additional Sunday services, including new direct journeys from Lincoln to Leeds.
There will also be nearly a 40% increase in capacity creating space for 31,000 extra passengers travelling into the five major commuter cities of the north during morning rush hour, which includes Leeds.
A new high-quality ‘Northern Connect’ service, meaning new or refurbished trains on longer-distance services, faster journeys and stations staffed daily with catering services and free Wifi at each one.
This network will serve the five major commuter cities as well as Lincoln.
Northern’s Engineering Director Ben Ackroyd said: “The first of the new trains arrived in the UK in June and we’ve received a further three since then. It’s very rewarding to see our new trains programme reach such an important milestone. The start of UK track testing really brings the project to life after months of design and construction work.
“Passengers in the North West will get a chance to see the trains as they are being tested. There’s a real sense of anticipation amongst the team here at Northern as we look forward to introducing a step change in what we offer our customers.”
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A man was arrested for a drugs offence and multiple weapons were seized during a police operation across Lincolnshire railway stations this week.
British Transport Police worked with Lincolnshire Police to remove dangerous weapons from trains and at stations in the county.
Extra officer patrols were deployed to stations in Lincolnshire, including in Lincoln, Skegness, Sleaford and Boston.
Weapons were seized through the week including a Stanley knife and a knuckle duster.
Metal detection arches and police dogs also attended, as well as British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce, who are dedicated to tackling organised criminals using the railway to transport drugs.
A man was arrested at Boston railway station on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a drug of Class B. He was found in possession of a large quantity of cannabis.
The man has since been released under investigation.
Lee Mitchell has stepped up from his role as assistant First Team Manager to take the top job at Lincoln City Women FC.
The club’s board announced on Friday, March 5 that Mitchell has now been appointed as the permanent First Team Manager.
Lincoln-born Mitchell takes over from Richard Cooper after the club said in January that “by amicable and mutual agreement” he had stepped down from his role as First Team Manager.
Mitchell has worked as assistant manger for the past 12 months and also brings his experience from having worked for many years within the women’s game both here and abroad.
The 45-year-old also worked as interim manager after Cooper’s departure, but there were no fixtures during that time.
Lincoln City Women FC’s will return to action when they travel to face West Brom in the second round of Vitality Women’s FA Cup on April 4. The club is awaiting an update on any return to league fixtures.
Martin Ryder, Chairperson at Lincoln City Women FC, said: “Lee is a fantastic and energised appointment to the role and has impressed from the outset with a clear vision and strategy to take the club forwards.
“With the benefit of him already knowing our ethos, the players and staff, Lee was a clear and obvious choice.
“His substantial experience gained around the world in the women’s game is hugely impressive and we look forward to supporting him and the team in an exciting future for the club.”
Mitchell stated his now 20 plus year career in football coaching at Preston North End before crossing the pond to the USA. In America, he worked for seven years in New Jersey and within the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Mitchell then went to the United Arab Emirates where he worked as a Director of Sport for a number of years before returning home to his Lincolnshire football roots.
National pub chain Wetherspoon announced that 394 of its pubs will reopen for outdoor service on Monday, April 12, seven of which are in Lincolnshire.
Residents in Cleethorpes, Gainsborough, Grantham, Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth and Stamford will have a Wetherspoon nearby, once pubs are allowed to serve outdoors in April.
It is the next step in the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, following the returning of children to schools on March 8.
Customers will no longer need to order a substantial meal every time they order a drink, but they will have to order, eat and drink while seated outside.
The list of Lincolnshire Wetherspoon pubs that will reopen are:
The Coliseum Picture Theatre – Cleethorpes
The Sweyn Forkbeard – Gainsborough
The Tollemache Inn – Grantham
The Yarborough Hotel – Grimsby
The Ritz – Lincoln
The Joseph Morton – Louth
The Stamford Post – Stamford
The Square Sail will not reopen on April 12. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
There will also be no curfew for pubs when they reopen, and Wetherspoon will be operating from 9am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and 9am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Food will be available to order between 9am and 8pm with a slightly reduced menu that still includes breakfasts, pub classics and burgers.
Ritz will open in Lincoln, but The Square Sail on the Brayford will not (little outdoor space). Other notable absences from the list include The Packhorse Inn in Sleaford and The Red Lion in Skegness.
A total of 19 Wetherspoon pubs can be found in Greater Lincolnshire, meaning less than half will reopen on the April 12 guidance date.
It is unclear when the other 12 will reopen, and whether or not it will be before June 21, when all coronavirus restrictions are planned to be lifted.
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