The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Campaigners for a better railway service for Spalding have expressed disappointment that there is currently no plan for Sunday services from the town.
The government has published the Invitation to Tender for the East Midlands Rail Franchise where it sets out what services it would like an operator to provide.
It recommends an “hourly” service Saturday to Sunday between Lincoln and Peterborough, but there are no plans for a Sunday service which the Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum are campaigning for.
A spokesman for the Forum said: “Although it is recommended that they have an hourly service between
Peterborough and Lincoln, no further details regarding the timing of these services has been produced.
“We do need an improvement of the trains to Lincoln to get them before 10am and back after 4pm as this is important.
“Our greatest disappointment is that no Sunday service is in their plans which despite campaigning hard over the last few years has not come to fruition.
“Of course we are now waiting for the other companies that are bidding for the franchise to produce their details we will have to wait-and-see if they promise a Sunday service which is important to our social economic society here.”
The forum’s chairman, George Scott said he would be contacting South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes expressing his concern over the plans and lack of investment in the line.
Lincolnshire County Council, however, has welcomed the announced plan.
Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways and transport, said: “There are also improvements planned for services between Lincoln and Peterborough, which will be of particular benefit for not only Sleaford and Spalding, but also the smaller stations on that route.”
Abellio, Arriva Rail and Stagecoach are the shortlisted bidders for the franchise.
