Let's hear it for a fresh investment in study and delivery of an East Lincs Rail Link!

The closures left East Lincs mainly bereft of its core main line, the East Lincs line and associated loop with Mablethorpe. Since closure some 52 years ago, population has increased, the need of regeneration also with pockets of poverty. The rural landscape means that inter-local-regional transit times that only rail can offer means that to enable more footfall and spend in places like Mablethorpe, Louth and Boston for example, we need better north-south rail connectivity. Yes, the A16 has been allowed to take former trackbed spaces, but the case for road upgrades is inflated due to no rail alternative. Rail has seen aggregated increases in usership - both passenger (before Pandemic) and freight even in Pandemic times. The potential demand for more rail and more by rail is there, freight-wise from small consignments to large containers, likewise off and peak travel, visiting, commuting and casual travel, if rail exists it can be used, if not, those people and places are that much disenfranchised and alienated from what may be on offer.

Some Points to consider:

1. Government has declared a Climate Emergency: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48126677  This is not a casual government! This is no arbitrary window dressing, it is a real thing visited upon the planet and we need to respond and act responsibly. The moves to electric vehicles all very well, but only rail alternatives can offer modal choice and shift in volume terms. Tyres also inform pollution particles which harm people as they breathe: https://blog.greenflag.com/2019/tyre-particles/ Land used for parking demand, is land which cannot be used for more necessary things like housing, employment, farming and conservation. It is land lost, you cannot service or build your way out of congestion. It stacks up in urban interfaces causing mayhem and a blight on tranquility and ambience, which we are trying to promote for visitorship increases. Likewise busy traffic arteries damage pro-affirma cycling and walking as busy roads cause hazards and blight.

2. We would welcome studies to be commissioned to build up the business case for a hypothecated restored rail link both south of Louth to Firsby (see attached) and/or north of Louth to join the current Grimsby area rail network somehow. The study could be commissioned by a round table of councils, agencies and Government contributions to fund it looking at besides business cases, engineering, how slewing a road or railway alongside might be achieved, what service patterns either side of Louth could be and what new business to rail could reasonably courted. 

Skegness is a long siding, a link direct from Louth/Mablethorpe into the resort and out in triangular fashion could be looked at. The Borders line is a long siding and carried (unexpected by many professional cynics) millions in its first few years: https://www.railstaff.co.uk/2018/09/06/borders-railway-more-than-4-million-journeys-since-it-opened-3-years-ago/ and the Borders Railway Campaign wants to see it progressed to link with Carlisle for more traffic still as a through route: https://campaignforbordersrail.org/ A sort of study was done, unsure why, but none-the-less points to a strategic and wider nationwide interest investor potential for East Lincs: http://www.greengauge21.net/wp-content/uploads/Connecting-East-Lincolnshire-Greengauge-21-FINAL.pdf But surely this could be developed pro-rail-positively if the will can be found for equality or indeed, favouring rail's turn?

3. The positive Werrington underpass north of Peterborough enables many trains from March - Peterborough-Spalding-Doncaster to avoid pathing conflicts with the East Coast Main Line (ECML). Freight by rail is growing and volume out of and to East Anglia likewise. Given local trunk roads are being progressively upgraded at cost and land take, could it be that there's a case to study again, whether a 'west of March to west of Spalding direct rail link curve' could be done? A reason to keep this option open is that the twin tracks between March and Peterborough are in heavy demand by passenger trains for Norwich, Cambridge and Stansted (major employer areas) and now via the new Soham to Ipswich; and also increases in freight for the West Midlands via Leicester and Peterborough, means pathing will become acute as time goes by. March-Peterborough-Spalding is a great way round to get anywhere and finding a means-ways to new-build a new direct rail link could free up paths on existing rails as well as shave end-to-end timings off services, enable quick passenger access from East and South Lincs to and from East Anglia with all the benefits and regeneration that could offer. 

ERTA wants to recruit support in East Lincolnshire who in turn will, with those already like Jamie Mascall, advocate these rail ideas until they gain traction where it counts, with councils, agencies and government to take it forwards to delivery and interpretation of delivery. Please help us. There is a Facebook page for those so interested: https://www.facebook.com/ReRailLocalRailsLincolnshire The good news of a possible station at the Littleworth area close to Deeping St Nicholas area bodes well: https://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/high-hopes-for-services-at-village-station-9249916/ Could a new rail link direct from west of March arc to link up in that area with passing loops/quadrupling, to enable more trains to pass and ultimately with electrification infill as well? These options may be realised now, in 10 years, development may scupper it locking-in road dependency, pollution and associated issues. Rail can reduce road wear and tear and bring other savings including the cost of goods and logistical flexibility currently lacking. Please take an interest, ask the Government for support and work together to re-rail East Lincolnshire. 

Join ERTA: https://ertarail.co.uk/ and offer to help us with reliable, negotiated assistant volunteering and team building. Join our email loop via richard.erta@gmail.com Thank you.