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Rail and Road Connectivity: Northern Lincolnshire
05 September 2024
Lead MP
Melanie Onn
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
DefenceTransport
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Melanie Onn raised concerns about rail and road connectivity: northern lincolnshire in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP highlighted the critical importance of improving road and rail connectivity in Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes to enhance economic prosperity, attract investment, and improve quality of life. She pointed out that the area plays a crucial role in energy generation, food production, port operations, and tourism. However, the current transport infrastructure is inadequate, with noisy roads and delayed trains. The A180 road generates excessive noise due to its construction, making it difficult for drivers to communicate and potentially damaging their hearing. Train delays are common at Doncaster, affecting both regular and occasional users negatively. The area's businesses require better connectivity to London, but the proposed direct train service has not materialised as expected.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
He echoed the concerns about the A180 road needing resurfacing and a direct London train service. He mentioned that the current timetable for the Brigg line is insufficient, offering only 90 minutes in either Grimsby or Cleethorpes for exploration. Additionally, he highlighted issues with the Cleethorpes to Barton service, which experiences frequent cancellations.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the importance of improving transport infrastructure in northern Lincolnshire. She stated that road noise assessments on the A180 were carried out by National Highways, confirming the current levels are consistent with expected amounts due to traffic volume and age. Three road surface improvements have been completed recently, and another is planned for October 2024, which should reduce noise further. For a direct London train service, LNER and Network Rail confirm feasibility but require platform modifications and funding. The Minister emphasised ongoing work to improve rail performance and services, including meetings with operators to address poor performance. Northern’s recovery plan will be scrutinized by the Department and regional leaders. An additional Sheffield-Cleethorpes service is challenging due to capacity constraints and costs, estimated at £400,000-£900,000 annually. The Government aims to unify rail services under public ownership through legislation for Great British Railways, improving customer service and operational performance while addressing regional inequalities via better integrated transport networks.
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