Direct train service from Cleethorpes to London won’t return until December 2025 at the earliest, with potential further delays due to infrastructure improvements.
Cleethorpes: Direct trains to London won’t return until at least December 2025. The service was stopped back in 1992, and many want it back.
MP Martin Vickers raised this issue in Parliament back in 2011. Recently, MP Melanie Onn asked for an update on the service’s return.
The response confirmed that direct trains won’t be back until December at the earliest. This is tied to changes in the East Coast mainline timetable.
There are also concerns about improvements needed at Market Rasen station. These upgrades could delay the service even longer.
Ms. Onn expressed her concerns about the wait. She believes the service should start now, even if Market Rasen isn’t ready yet.
She pointed out that North East Lincolnshire has a major port and is a hub for green energy. The lack of direct trains to London is pushing businesses to Hull.
Ms. Onn plans to write to the Railways Minister to push for an earlier start to the service. She wants to see better connectivity for towns like Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander knows restoring this link is important. However, it won’t happen until the timetable changes in December.
Testing showed no major changes are needed for the route, but Market Rasen needs significant upgrades. This could cost between £15 to £20 million.
