Karl continues to Put Lincoln First in series of Transport Meetings

  • Karl is continuing his Campaign to improve the transport infrastructure of Lincoln and Lincolnshire
  • Karl met last week with StageCoach-Virgin who are the new operators of the InterCity EastCoast service – and secured a number of important concessions
  • The Number of direct train services from Lincoln to London and back again for the main Magna Carta events this year may be increased using available capacity on the line
  • With the advent of the new timetable’s direct services, the operators will examine if journey times can be vastly reduced from current 2hr and 2hrs 15mins
  • Connecting services will be re-examined at Newark North Gate
  • On board services will be maintained and enhanced for passengers
  • Karl is chairing meetings later this week with local Councils and Network Rail, to discuss level crossings in the City and Lincoln Central platform lengths and line upgrades
  • Next week further meetings are being held, following a recent meeting with the DfT, to discuss latest developments with regard to the Lincoln Eastern Bypass
  • Exciting and positive start to Lincoln’s 2015 culminates in the month ending with a Lincolnshire Transport Seminar on the 30th January at the Assembly Rooms.

 

Monday, 12 January

Karl met with representatives of the DfT. Karl also attended the Transport Select Committee witness session with Network Rail and asked a number of searching questions regarding the level of service his constituents who use the East Coast line can expect in the future.

 

Wednesday, 14 January

Last week, on Wednesday, 14 January, Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, Karl McCartney MP, met with representatives of the new Virgin Trains East Coast, the winners of the InterCity East Coast Franchise. Karl discussed with Andy Sparkes, Transition Director for the East Coast Franchise, and Emma Knight, Group Head of Media and Public Affairs at The Stagecoach Group, a number of rail issues, and particularly any potential for more direct services throughout next year as we anticipate an increase in visitor numbers with the 800thanniversary of the Magna Carta – an event that is so important to our City, County and local economy.  Also attending this very positive meeting was David Horne, and subsequently it was confirmed that the expected shorter journey times direct to Lincoln from and to London should be deliverable.

 

Tuesday, 20 January

On, Tuesday 21 January Karl was invited to attend an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Rail meeting where the The Consortium of East Coast Main Line Authorities (ECMA), which represents Councils, Combined Authorities and Scottish Regional Transport Partnerships throughout the area served by the East Coast Main Line (ECML), presented their research about the potential for economic growth from further investment in the ECML.

 

Friday, 23 January

This Friday, 23 January, Karl, along with representatives from Lincolnshire County Council, North Kesteven District Council and the City of Lincoln Council, will meet with senior officers at Network Rail. Several issues will be on the agenda including:

 

  • Update on the High Street Level Crossing Bridge in Lincoln;
  • Update on the Brayford Wharf East Level Crossing in Lincoln;
  • Update on the other Level Crossings in the City of Lincoln;
  • Line speeds between Lincoln, North Hykeham, Newark and Nottingham;
  • The regularity of the service & maintenance between Lincoln, North Hykeham, Newark & Nottingham (esp. at weekends);
  • Discussions regarding the ‘Avoiding Line’ from Lincoln to Sleaford and onwards;
  • Longer platform(s) at Lincoln Central Station
  • Discussions regarding wider plans for rail in the region.

 

Monday, 26 January

On Monday 26 January, Karl will again meet with Lincolnshire County Council, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and representatives of various other local authorities in Lincoln and Lincolnshire, so that they may continue to consider and pursue the assurance Karl received from Transport and Treasury Ministers at the end of last year that, if, with the support of the County Council, there were to be a future bid from Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership for a dual carriageway, the Government would, in principle, support such a Scheme.

 

Friday, 30 January

Karl is hosting the Lincolnshire Transport Seminar at The Assembly Rooms on Bailgate, Lincoln from 9.30am through to 4pm. The day is split in to three main sections dealing with Rail, Road and then Park & Ride being the main catch all subjects for discussion. The event is open to everyone and costs just £15 which covers the cost of refreshments and lunch for those attending. A draft agenda has been posted online at http://www.karlmccartney.co.uk/transport-seminar-2015 along with an application form to attend. Those unable to come along may order a copy of the written summary of the day for £5. 

 

Karl McCartney MP said:  “I always promised my electors in Lincoln that I would take every opportunity to push for much-needed improvements to our transport infrastructure after thirteen years of a Labour Government which so clearly neglected residents and businesses in our City and County. It is, of course, also a priority that we do all we can to improve our transport and infrastructure system so that we continue to encourage more visitors to Lincoln and the money they bring with them that supports our local shops, tourist attractions and provides jobs for my constituents.

“We have begun to make real progress on many of the transport problems that have bedevilled Lincoln for far too long. Take, for example, my successful campaign to improve train services for passengers travelling between Nottingham and Lincoln; and, as a result of Virgin East Coast winning the East Coast Franchise, the additional six trains from, and five trains to, London that we have secured from May 2019, in addition to other potential service improvements and upgraded train interiors that will be introduced between this year and 2017 and a station - Lincoln Central - now served by new high speed IEP trains from 2020. We also have secured agreement for footbridges over our City’s two busiest level crossings and I have had the honour of opening our renovated ticket office building at Lincoln Central Station. In addition, improvement works have begun on the Canwick Road/Hill and South Park junction areas – works that will provide additional traffic lanes that will ease congestion in the South of Lincoln. 

“I want this series of meetings to build on these achievements I have strived for, for the City I love, and I shall continue to work with our local authorities, Central Government Departments and the transport industry more generally to improve further the transport infrastructure - particularly by dualling of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and securing further direct train services to London sooner - of what is arguably the most loved City in the East Midlands".

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact Karl McCartney MP at [email protected] / 020 7219 7221.