Following an article in Rail Magazine's February/March issue titled "Rail service is truly grim for Grimsby and its residents", Martin raised the issue of rail electrification in northern Lincolnshire during questions to the Department for Transport. The Rail Magazine article called for more investment in, and the modernisation of, services to Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Martin asked the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP, for assurances that more would be done to improve services in his constituency.
Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con):
Clearly, good work is being done throughout the network, although I have to report that no progress is being made on electrification in northern Lincolnshire, which is probably one reason why the recent edition of Rail Magazine had a headline saying, “Rail service is truly grim for Grimsby”. Added to that, the Transport for the North publication this week does not even include northern Lincolnshire routes on its map. Will the Secretary of State assure me that more will be done to improve services to my constituency?
Mr McLoughlin:
After my hon. Friend’s very successful campaign, we managed to protect the services in his area when we renegotiated the franchises. He has always pressed for greater services to his constituency. I will look at the issue, particularly when the new franchise starts operating later this year.
You can read the whole debate here.