A seaside town is set to be reconnected with the capital by after years without a direct line. Rail operator Grand Central has submitted an application to bring back services between in Lincolnshire and .

Currently, getting to the capital from the town requires multiple changes. Passengers typically have to , then Scunthorpe to Doncaster and from there to King's Cross. The journey takes just under four hours in total and will cost you around £25 for a one-way ticket on Trainline. The town has not had a train to London for more than 30 years. The operator is hoping to get the line running by December 2026, stopping in Grimsby, Habrough, and Scunthorpe.

The company hopes to operate four services each direction every day - this will create over 775,000 seats a year and potentially unlock £30.1 million for the region.

Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said: "This isn't just about attracting future investment into our town, it's about addressing missed economic and social opportunities due to current poor connectivity."

Paul Hutchings, managing director responsible for Grand Central, said: "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."

MPs met last month to discuss the proposal. Simon Lightwood, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport, said that the Department's view will be announced on "in due course".

He said that no major infrastructure changes are needed to reintroduce the route between Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Lightwood said: "However, for LNER trains to serve Market Rasen station, significant infrastructure work, estimated to cost £15 to £20 million, would be required."

Cleethorpes has all the trappings of a traditional English seaside town, with arcades, fish and chip shops, a Victorian-era pier, a boating lake, and a beachside promenade. There are also lots of independent shops, cafes and pubs.