MORE than 1,600 people have already signed our petition to derail plans to scrap direct express rail service from Cleethorpes to Manchester.
The government is examining the option of terminating the TransPennine Express service from Manchester at Doncaster with a replacement Sheffield to Cleethorpes service being operated by Northern Rail, possibly as an extension of the existing hourly Northern Sheffield to Scunthorpe service.
The proposals are part of what Rail Minister Stephen Hammond describes as a "huge opportunity" to create a railway system fit for the 21st century.
A consultation is underway, but we only have until August 18 to make our voices heard.
You can fill in the coupon in today's paper, sign the petition online at the bottom of this story and you can also write to us with your views. We will pass everything on to the government and those responsible for the consultation.
Meanwhile, here are some of your letters.
I guess I am as concerned as anyone in this town about the threat of the loss of the direct rail service to Manchester Airport. It is an excellent service that has served this area well for many years now.
However, I think we must look to the proposed rail development on the west side of Manchester city centre, which has very powerful political support, as being at the root cause of the threat to the service. An enhancement to Manchester's rail network known as the "Ordsall Chord" will be installed, despite vehement objections from organisations such as English Heritage and the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester (MOSI), and will facilitate the routing of trains, either originating or routed through West Yorkshire, to Manchester Airport via Manchester Victoria station instead of them now reversing at Piccadilly station, crossing a number of main lines and thereby reducing inter-city track capacity, on their route to the airport.
It would seem that if our through service is not to be diverted at Chinley/New Mills on the Hope Valley line, by-passing Stockport to eventually access the new "Chord" before calling at Piccadilly from the opposite direction on newly-proposed platforms, then it is bound to be withdrawn, despite a well-supported cross-party local campaign.
The real tragedy in this sorry episode is this government's refusal to preserve the "Woodhead" route by allowing the restoration of a rail service from Penistone to Hadfield. The relatively modern tunnel on this route has recently been given over to the national grid to provide a conduit for power lines, which would have otherwise despoiled the Pennine landscape. Had this option been kept available to rail reinstatement, it would have allowed for the development of a rail corridor between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Brigg, Gainsborough and a reopened Sheffield Victoria station, thus relieving the Hope Valley line, which must now be nearing full capacity, despite its proposed electrification.
Sadly, however well intentioned our local campaigners may be, I personally don't think they will overcome the very powerful political and economic support that exists for the "Northern Hub" around Manchester and they would be better advised to campaign for the reinstatement of the "Woodhead" route. Although this would still not provide direct access to Manchester Airport, it would at least preserve direct access to Piccadilly and be better than an interrupted journey.
Alan Handler, Park Street, Grimsby.
The Minister talks about investing in a network fit for the 21st century, however, our area has seen a persistent long-term degredation in long-distance transport links since the closure of the direct London service in the 1990's. Previous Conservative administrations saw the benefit of transport links to business and commerce, including our only dual carriageway into the area, the A180 road, opening in 1983.
Our rail freight industry remains buoyant and Immingham is the busiest freight terminal in the UK. Unfortunately rather than bolster rail services to complement this, passenger services are sacrificed to permit freight passage.
The low line speed between Cleethorpes and Scunthorpe is fine to cope with freight but inadequate for high-speed rail links.
Ergo fewer passengers travel and services become at risk.
Business and residents must urge the Minister not only to maintain this vital rail link, but also to invest in our rail service for the sake of freight as well as passengers. The Minister must commit to safeguarding the current services and in addition taking steps to increase capacity on the line leading to Doncaster with a mid-term view of increasing passenger train speed and reducing the travel time to Doncaster to 50 minutes.
Anything short of this commitment is dangerous and short- sighted.
Politicians spoke recently about the "Leeds-Manchester-Liverpool power triangle" as a centre of northern business, and spoke about the benefits of HS2 fast rail for the north. Unless our area is included in this plan we risk a financial wilderness and politicians of all colours need to unite to stress our vibrant area is a place where we are open for investment.
Kel David.
