Midlands Connect has released research that it claims backs its case that improving the Castle Line rail corridor in the East Midlands would boost economic growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Castle Line, which is over 175 years old, links Nottingham, Lincoln and Newark.
Nottingham is a business and nightlife hotspot and centre of the Robin Hood legend; Lincoln is a historic cathedral city; and Newark is a market town.
Last year, Midlands Connect submitted plans to improve the route to the Department for Transport. It proposes raising the line speed from mostly 50mph to 75mph, and advocates a long-term aim of running twice as many train services.
Timetables are currently undergoing re-structuring, which Midlands Connect argues is an opportunity to increase the frequency of services between Nottingham and Lincoln to two per hour.
The recent report, ‘Tourism on Track’, shows that better connections in the East Midlands would increase the number of people able to access these ‘hotspots’, would reduce car use, and would changes the demographic groups attracted to the area.
The research found that both rail passengers and tourism businesses in the East Midlands are concerned that shortfalls in existing rail provision between Lincoln and Nottingham create problems for the tourism and hospitality sectors in both cities.
Passengers expressed concern about issues including slow, crowded and infrequent trains.
“I wholeheartedly support Midlands Connect’s outline business case for funding to improve the Castle Line from Nottingham to Lincoln, allowing for faster and more frequent trains along the route.
“Lincoln has a lot to offer its visitors, with sites of major historic significance, as well as a bustling network of medieval streets, packed with quaint pubs and charming independent shops. But it is clear that the state of the city’s rail links has become a barrier to the city’s growth as a competitive tourist destination.
“Visitors are a major driver of our local economy, and by investing in the Castle Line rail upgrades – better connecting Lincoln to the wider Midlands and East Coast main line – we would support our tourism industry to flourish.
“Midlands Connect’s plans have my full support, and I hope to see the project progress.”
Hamish Falconer, Labour MP for Lincoln
Responses
Why not include Northampton to Market Harborough (N2MH) within these questionnaires. It would greatly assist tourism to these areas, facilitating access from Oxford and from further west in the UK.