Response from Nicholas Craven - the Department for Transport attached below.
RE - Reopening the Lincolnshire Loop Line (Lincoln-Boston Line).
Ryan Mascall
Department for Transport Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 0300 330 3000
Web Site: www.gov.uk/dft
Our Ref: 264788 Your Ref:
DATE
Dear Mr Mascall
Reopen the Lincolnshire Loop Line (Lincoln-Boston Line)
Thank you for your enquiry of 10 August 2019 concerning a request to reopen the Lincolnshire Loop Line (Lincoln-Boston Line).
To re-open a railway line which has been closed for over 50 years would incur significant cost. There is no current Departmental funding provision for the development, design or delivery of this proposal.
The Government is committed to working with Midlands Connect who are a Sub-national Transport Body mandated to explore, develop and recommend transport projects which will provide the biggest possible economic and social benefits for the Midlands and the rest of the UK (Greater Lincolnshire are a partner organisation to Midlands Connect).
I note that the Lincoln Loop Line is not identified in the Midlands Connect 2017 Strategy as a priority. You may wish to contact Midlands Connect to provide input to their forthcoming revised strategy.
Both Lincoln and Boston will benefit from the new East Midlands Railway (EMR) franchise. EMR Have committed to replace the entire regional train fleet by Dec 2021 with faster, more modern and comfortable trains, enabling a higher speed, better connected regional timetable.
Additionally, the Franchise Agreement sets out a commitment to provide:
• A refurbished waiting room, refurbished toilets at Boston
• A new customer lounger with catering, refurbished toilets at Lincoln
However, these are both subject to permissions and approvals.
The Government recognises the importance of public transport for the sustainability and independence of communities, particularly those in rural areas.
The Government has contributed £11m of Local Growth Fund towards the Lincoln Transport Hub, which opened in February 2018. The regeneration scheme supported the delivery of a new bus station and a multi-storey car park, helping to deliver up to 200 jobs in the city.
Yours sincerely,
Nicholas Craven
Planning and Investment Manager