Following a long campaign where Martin Vickers was joined by fellow local MPs, councillors, the Grimsby and Scunthorpe Telegraph, and other activists, in fighting to keep the direct south TransPennine Express service from Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport, it was today announced the campaign has been successful.
The direct service was potentially under threat following a consultation document which proposed that the service might not be retained in the next franchise invitation to tender.
Following the publication of the consulation document, Martin has campaigned in order to show the Government how important the service is to the local economy and to local people: Martin has met with the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, numerous transport ministers, and others to speak up for the service's case.
Martin has also spoken on many occassions in the House of Commons, asking questions to ministers, and speaking in various debates on the subject. In addition to this, Martin led a debate in the House of Commons on the direct rail link, where he was joined by other local MPs in arguing for the direct service to be maintained.
Following a question Martin asked the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, on the future of the service this morning, Mr McLoughlin announced that after the extensive campaigning on the issue, he could confirm that the direct service would be retained in the next franchise tender.
Martin said in response to the announcement, "I am delighted that the campaigning has been successful. It has been long and well organised, with masses of evidence produced by all involved on the impact the loss of service would have. The result of the campaign clearly demonstrates how government backbenchers can be influential in affecting decisions through their direct access to ministers."