Application submitted for feasibility study into reopening section of the Firsby to Louth railway line

The East Lindsey District Council has submitted an application to hopefully see a section of the former East Lincolnshire railway line from Firsby to Louth reopened.

The application to the Department for Transport includes a £50,000 feasibility study for the Restoring Your Railway Fund and included in this is the consideration of the railway line from Willoughby to Mablethorpe.

Portfolio Holder For Planning Councillor, Tom Ashton, and Councillor Adrian Benjamin are driving this application with support from MPs Matt Warman and Victoria Atkins.

Support for the restoration has gathered pace with a petition having 2,433 signatures.

The route would serve Louth, Legbourne, Alford and Willoughby, a population of more than 20,000 (based on the 2011 Census), whilst the Willoughby to Mablethorpe line would serve more than 13,000 people in Mablethorpe, Sutton on Sea and Theddlethorpe.

The current view of Mablethorpe station — Credit: JoshuaIsTheFalco

Portfolio Holder for Planning, Councillor Tom Ashton, said: “East Lindsey is a great place to live and to visit and developing both these aspects is essential for future growth and economic prosperity. Enjoying the extensive Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a settlement geography of market towns, rural villages, wild coast, seaside resorts, and an excellent education offer which still includes Grammar Schools, East Lindsey should be incredibly attractive for people to choose to locate themselves, their businesses, and their families.”

Councillor Adrian Benjamin said: “A green and sustainable rail corridor would be a natural place to look, to ensure communities are connected and reliance on cars is reduced. Whether that is the growth of existing settlements or the creation of new ones is beyond the scope of this application, however it does point to a greener, lower‐carbon future that allows this area to grow in a considered way, without engendering the harm which would come from scything through the countryside with major road projects. It enhances without harming.”

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