Rail passengers using Lincoln Central and Hykeham Station will soon be enjoying extra services and quicker journeys, following confirmation of the new timetable for the Castle Line this week.
Services between Nottingham, Newark Castle and Lincoln Central will see significant improvements, following more than £2million local and government funding.
Cllr Mrs Marion Brighton OBE (North Kesteven District Council, Kate Purnell (East Midlands Trains) and Cllr Stuart Kinch (Lincolnshire County Council) at Hykeham Station
Passengers using Hykeham Station will benefit from:
- Most frequent ever service
- Extra 14 trains per day, an increase of 50%
- Extra morning and evening service to and from Nottingham
Passengers using Lincoln Central will enjoy quicker journeys and more services, including an extra weekday morning and evening service to and from Nottingham.
Both stations will benefit from faster journey times for the majority of services to and from Nottingham.
Councillor Stuart Kinch, Deputy Executive Councillor for Highways and Transportation, said: “One of the main objectives of Lincolnshire County Council’s sustainable transport project Access LN6, was to increase the frequency of trains stopping at Hykeham station. We’re delighted that an additional 14 trains per day will be stopping, and there will be more direct trains from Lincoln to Nottingham.
“This will not only provide more opportunities for commuters wanting to travel by train, but also support our economic aims to encourage more businesses to relocate in Lincoln and LN6.”
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This government has worked hard and made significant investment to see improvements come to the Castle Line. I welcome today’s announcement which means passengers will soon benefit from these additional services and faster journey times.
“Good rail links are vital to connect communities in the East Midlands to jobs, services and amenities. This is why we are investing huge amounts to deliver better services across the region as part of our long-term economic plan.”
Jake Kelly, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our passengers in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire will soon be enjoying significantly improved services, with more trains and faster journey times.
“The Castle Line is a vital rail corridor and this major increase in services will give the communities along the route the service they deserve, making it much easier for passengers to travel to work, get together with friends and family or visit the exciting attractions along the line.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the numerous local authorities, local enterprise zones, the Department for Transport and our local Members of Parliament for their tireless support and hard work, which has helped to deliver these major improvements.”
East Midlands Trains proposals have been developed and funded in partnership with the Department for Transport, Nottinghamshire County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, City of Lincoln Council, Newark & Sherwood District Council, Newark Business Club, North Kesteven District Council, Gedling Borough Council as well as the Local Enterprise Partnerships for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) and Lincolnshire.
The new timetable starts on Monday 18 May 2015, and is available via the East Midlands Trains journey planner.
Full full and original article visit http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/rail-improvements-for-passengers-at-lincoln-and-hykeham/125090.article