Melanie Onn has said she believes the noisy A180 concrete section is damaging to drivers’ hearing and has asked for clarity on when train services to London might begin. The A180 concrete section’s replacement, the return of direct London to Cleethorpes trains and Brigg‘s limited train service were discussed in a special debate on northern Lincolnshire transport in Parliament on Thursday, September 5. The adjournment debate was secured by the Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP. In the debate, Ms Onn described driving the A180 concrete section as a “juddering journey”. She also sought clarification on when London to Cleethorpes direct trains would begin. Read More: Neighbouring Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers also participated and raised other transport issues, including the limited Brigg trains service. However, a transport minister doused water on the prospects of any changes to it. “The minister will be aware that the issue of rail and road connectivity to Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes has been a long-standing issue, which many before us have tried, and failed, to resolve,” said Ms Onn introducing the debate. She was increasingly concerned poor transport infrastructure acted as a disincentive to businesses looking to base on the Humber bank. Ms Onn used the analogy of Bradford football fans driving down for the recent League Two match against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park to illustrate her call for the A180 concrete section’s replacement, saying: “It is an inexplicably loud and juddering journey on a 50-year-old concrete road.” There had been “patchy resurfacing” on stretches but “the noise for drivers is so loud that speaking to a passenger sat right next to you is impossible, at a normal volume”. She added: “Hearing travel alerts on the radio is impossible. And I’m convinced it must be damaging to people’s hearing who drive on that road for work, education or leisure purposes. “As for the trains, I absolutely defy anybody who say they haven’t experienced a delay at Doncaster.” She asked for clarity on the situation with the London to Cleethorpes line. Mr Vickers said of the A180 concrete section: “I’m told that complete resurfacing from Barnetby Top to Grimsby, which is what really is essential, is now in the £300m+ category and will obviously need authority for a major capital project.” Lilian Greenwood, a junior transport minister, said National Highways carried out noise assessments of the A180 in May 2024 near Stallingborough. The noise levels recorded were between 65.9 and 82 decibels. She understood this as loud for a driver on a sustained journey. But it was consistent with expected noise from the A180’s volume of traffic. National Highways has carried out three road surface improvements on the A180 in the last year, with a fourth planned this October. Ms Greenwood said: “These works have, and will, reduce noise and improve road safety. Subject to confirmation of funding, additional road surface treatment work is planned for the third Roads Investment Strategy period and when finished, this should substantially reduce noise levels along the route.” The strategy period covers 2025-2030. She said the direct London to Cleethorpes trains would occur once East Coast timetable changes have been implemented. Tests had shown changes to platform length and height are needed for Market Rasen. This would be subject to funding and a thorough business case process, to be approved by the rail minister. “That was the situation before the general election and still is now.” A Cleethorpes to Barton EMR train arrives at Grimsby Town Station – Martin Vickers MP has called it a ‘Cinderella service’ (Image: Local Democracy Reporter (LDR)) ‘Cinderella’ service and Brigg 90-minute turnaround During the debate, Mr Vickers highlighted how Brigg’s five-day-a-week service gave its residents just 90 minutes to shop in Cleethorpes and Grimsby, before having to catch the only train back. He said: “Let’s get something sorted, a regular service on that stretch of line would be greatly appreciated.” The Brigg and Immingham MP was critical also of the Cleethorpes to Barton line service, run by EMR. “My final comment, on the Cleethorpes to Barton service, which is a bit of a Cinderella service, so many cancellations, timings are not good for commuters who want to use it. It needs fully restructuring and I would urge the minister to have a look at that.” A Northern Rail service at Brigg – 2023 saw the resumption of weekday services, but they are limited (Image: Nigel Fisher) Ms Greenwood did not directly address the latter, though highlighted the new government’s nationalisation plans for the rail network’s franchises. On Brigg, her response all but shut the door on changes any time soon. Brigg is part of a Northern Rail Sheffield to Cleethorpes train service. She said: “This service is primarily intended to maintain route knowledge on the Brigg line in case of diversions. Now whilst I appreciate the appetite for services to spend more time in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Northern’s turnaround at Cleethorpes is necessitated by other demands on the network, including from freight services and crew rostering. “Adding an additional service on this route could create clashes and would cost between £400,000 and £900,000 a year, depending on staff and rolling stock demand.” An additional service with Brigg was not currently feasible for Northern’s budget, based on current usage and extra costs involved. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
