BARNETBY TO LONDON DIRECT TRAINS COULD START IN 2020 AND BRIGG BLOG CALLS FOR CONNECTING BUSES TO BRIGG

A new direct train service from Barnetby to London could start in 2020, North Lincolnshire Council is suggesting.
And a Brigg councillor has welcomed the results of a local survey demonstrating 'strong evidence' that the new service to the capital should be given the green light.

Progress on Direct London train link

FROM SARAH HOWE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Moves to deliver a direct train link to London have received a welcome boost following an extensive survey of North Lincolnshire residents. 
Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Rob Waltham, presented the findings of a survey which detailed the high level of support for a new direct rail train from Scunthorpe to London – to Chris Brandon from Grand Central.
A staggering 1,466 people responded to the survey to establish the level of support for a direct rail service from Scunthorpe to London.
A resounding 97 per cent of the survey were in support with an additional 57 residents expressing their support by letter or email.
The main findings from the survey are:

• The primary purpose of journeys to London for those who responded to the survey is to visit friends or relatives or a day out
• When travelling to London by rail, the majority of respondents start their journey from Scunthorpe Station with clear evidence of need in Barnetby and Crowle also.
• 74 per cent of respondents who travel by train, park at the train station or a car park nearby or are dropped off at the station by car

The most important factor for respondents using a direct train service from North Lincolnshire to London, is to avoid changing trains
Potentially, half of those who responded to the survey would use a station closer to home for travel to London if station facilities or rail services were improved
Main concern from respondents if a Direct Rail Service to London progresses is the provision of station parking
If the bid receives support from the rail regulator, services could start in 2020.
Cllr Rob Waltham MBE (Brigg & Wolds), leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: It was an interesting meeting and gave me the opportunity to convey how strongly residents feel about having a direct rail service from North Lincolnshire stations to London.
“I am hopeful that the findings of this survey will provide strong evidence for a potential service in the future. Such a service would help enormously and would open up the opportunity for more businesses and residents to invest, visit and live in North Lincolnshire.
"Grand central are working hard to establish a bid to the regulator and the evidence of support from North Lincolnshire residents can only help with this business case.
"I received a number of really positive letters about our bid for this service. However residents were also clear that their facilities would need to improve and increase at local train stations if this service is likely to go ahead. We will be using this data to present the strongest possible case.”
Chris Brandon, Programme Manager, Grand Central, said: “We are grateful for the market research undertaken by North Lincolnshire Council and look forward to being able to use the information in developing our plans. We are currently in the process of refining our proposals and hope to be in a position to take forward an application to the Office of Rail and Road in the near future.”

N.F. ADDS: Brigg Blog is a firm supporter of train travel and improved public transport and welcomes the latest initiative. But we also know that  some  rail campaigners think local effort should first be put into improving the very sparse, Saturdays-only train service along the Brigg Line. We support efforts being made to improve BOTH. If, or when, the direct London link is agreed, a top priority will be ensuring that the Brigg-Wrawby-Barnetby bus service is timed to meet all London trains. And/or the CallConnect dial-a-bus is arranged to do so. But that's clearly something for the future.

PICTURED: Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham, left, with Chris Brandon, Programme Manager with the Grand Central train company.