Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Lightwood and Melanie Onn

Thursday 15th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Melanie Onn (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) (Lab)]

13. What steps she is taking to improve rail access to Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes constituency.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)]

Subject to final industry planning, East Midlands Railway plans to introduce an all-day direct Nottingham-Cleethorpes service in December, improving connections at Lincoln for journeys to London. The Rail Minister has been looking closely into possible direct trains between London and Cleethorpes, and looks forward to discussing that with my hon. Friend at their upcoming meeting.

[Melanie Onn]

Local analysis shows that a direct service from Cleethorpes to London could deliver growth of over £30 million a year to our region. As well as LNER, Grand Central has launched an application to operate that service. The project is backed by local businesses, industry and constituents. Will the Minister work with me to ensure that this train definitely leaves the station?

[Simon Lightwood]

My hon. Friend is a huge advocate for her constituency. Any additional services will be dependent on funding from the spending review. The Rail Minister will meet my hon. Friend to discuss the proposals further, following the conclusion of the spending review. The Department continues to review the application from Grand Central to introduce open-access services between London and Cleethorpes, and will provide its views to the regulator in due course. Access to the rail network, however, is ultimately a decision for the regulator.