Grand Central (GC) has formally notified Network Rail of its intention to operate new direct rail services between Cleethorpes and London King’s Cross, marking a potential return of direct connectivity to the capital for the Lincolnshire resort for the first time in over 30 years.
The new application outlines plans to provide direct services from Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Habrough, and Scunthorpe, connecting into existing Grand Central services at Doncaster. If approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the services could launch as early as December 2026.
The proposal includes four new return services per day, offering more than 775,000 additional seats annually between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, and London. In addition to improved connectivity, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that the new route could generate up to £30.1 million annually for the regional economy.
The application is expected to be welcomed by communities, businesses, and organisations across East Lincolnshire who have long campaigned for the reintroduction of direct services to London.
Paul Hutchings, Managing Director responsible for Grand Central, said: “We’re excited about the opportunity to reconnect Cleethorpes to London with new direct services, the first of their kind since 1992. If approved, these services will play a pivotal role in driving regional growth by linking underserved communities to key commercial opportunities, benefiting both local businesses and passengers.”
The initiative also supports Grand Central’s wider goal of providing sustainable, accessible transport to underserved areas. As an open access operator, Grand Central uses spare capacity on the rail network to offer competitive fares without government subsidy. The company already supports regions outside London with a combined GDP of £113 billion and connects major cities such as Sunderland, Bradford, Peterborough, and Doncaster to the capital.
An industry consultation is expected to begin shortly, marking the start of the formal regulatory process. Grand Central is optimistic about the outcome and sees the application as an efficient use of existing network capacity while also expanding its services.
The company promises to keep stakeholders informed as the project progresses.
