Kings Cross to Cleethorpes - LNER - (Update)

[Magdalia]

Just an update on this, from the local press in Lincolnshire, as we expected this service will not start until at least 2026. Apperntly Market Rasen needs work on the platforms costing about 20M. No idea what these works are, the platforms are very low and not long enough for a 5 coach train. I assume SDO can sort out the later problem (It can take 3x 23m trains at the moment).

I am sure detail will come out, but 20M seems a lot of money.

In tandem with the Chancellor's speech yesterday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury made a statement in the House of Commons, and then answered questions from MPs. One of them was this:

Martin Vickers
(Brigg and Immingham) (Con)
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The Chief Secretary said that he wanted economic growth to spread to every town, city and community—something we can all agree with. I have been campaigning for many years to restore the direct train service between Cleethorpes, Grimsby and King’s Cross. That would boost the local economy and is supported by the Hull and Humber chamber of commerce, businesses up and down my constituency and, on the Government Benches, by my MP, the hon. Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Melanie Onn). All that is needed to provide the service at the next timetable change is the go-ahead from the Transport Secretary. Will the Chief Secretary urge her to do just that?
Darren Jones
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I am sure that the Transport Secretary has heard the hon. Member’s request. As he will know from our announcements today and at the Budget, the investment that we seek to unlock in his region is a crucial part of our industrial plans, not least the investment in sustainable aviation fuel that I set out. If the transport project that he mentions will unlock investment, housing and opportunities in the region, I am sure that we will look at it closely.

 

[Failed Unit]

It is an interesting situation. At the moment this is an “open access” operation. So if money is spent to make it happen I am sure they other open access operators will be watching with interest. My understanding is that the LNER will replace and EMR service (use its path) so I suspect this is why they are handling it sensitively.

 

[ainsworth74]

It has a barrow crossing. Are they deemed to be accessible?

Not usually. Indeed checking the NRE entry for the station it tells us the following under accessibility:

Foot crossing only to Lincoln bound platform, and level access to Grimsby Town platform.

So I reckon the reason we've got a quote for £20m of works at Market Rasen is a mixture of platform extensions and making it fully accessible.

 

[Failed Unit]

Not usually. Indeed checking the NRE entry for the station it tells us the following under accessibility:



So I reckon the reason we've got a quote for £20m of works at Market Rasen is a mixture of platform extensions and making it fully accessible.

The platform extensions may not be a bad thing, considering that EMR now use gangway less 170s. Having used the station with a wheelchair user the crossing isn’t actually the problem. The hump is.not sure if it matches up with an Azuma but on a conventional unit it is only good for one door. Which may or may not be where the accessible space is. The station is useable by a wheelchair user but like must stations in Lincolnshire not ideal.

 

[Bald Rick]

It is an interesting situation. At the moment this is an “open access” operation. So if money is spent to make it happen I am sure they other open access operators will be watching with interest. My understanding is that the LNER will replace and EMR service (use its path) so I suspect this is why they are handling it sensitively.

Why do you say it is an “open access“ operation?

 

[Failed Unit]

Why do you say it is an “open access“ operation?

In respect to this service it isn’t the franchised operator. Maybe I could have used a better term. They have no commitment to operate this service (which I am sure the people who it will cover will welcome with open arms).
Are the DfT funding this or is it expected to not increase subsidy to LNEr (maybe a difficult question to answer)

 

[Bald Rick]

In respect to this service it isn’t the franchised operator. Maybe I could have used a better term. They have no commitment to operate this service (which I am sure the people who it will cover will welcome with open arms).
Are the DfT funding this or is it expected to not increase subsidy to LNEr (maybe a difficult question to answer)

Which service do you mean? If you mean the LNER service to Cleethorpes, then yes the DfT will be funding the net operating loss it incurs (at no little cost).

 

[Failed Unit]

Which service do you mean? If you mean the LNER service to Cleethorpes, then yes the DfT will be funding the net operating loss it incurs (at no little cost).

Yes it is the LNER service to Cleethorpes. Which to me is exactly what GB Rail should be doing. Hopefully we will also see decent connections between the LNER services terminating in Lincoln and the EMR services. One for a thread but the current circa 1h50 connection time isn’t the best.

 

[Bald Rick]

Yes it is the LNER service to Cleethorpes.

OK, so that is not ‘open access’, ie a commercial service operated by LNER. If it happens, it will be funded by DfT.

As an aside, no operator funded by DfT can run ‘commercial‘ services on their own initiative; even one that was extremely profitable will still need DfT approval (as all costs are borne by HMT).

 

[trawler]

The previous comment is correct. Cleethorpes service would not be commercial or open access but directed and funded by DfT as an extension of existing LNER Lincoln services.