Edward Leigh, the Member of Parliament for the Gainsborough constituency, has raised concerns over the state of rail rolling stock on the East Coast Main Line. Speaking in the Commons during Transport questions.

Mr Leigh pointed out to the Transport minister that:

“In the eastern counties, we are very appreciative of the fast service and the excellent rolling stock up to Newark. However, when one gets beyond Newark and into Lincolnshire, one enters a time that land forgot—and, indeed, that the Department for Transport seems to have forgotten.”

“Will the Minister assure me that, as part of the invitation to tender process, he will ensure that there is sufficient good-quality rolling stock, in particular diesel trains, so that the long-standing campaign involving me, my hon. Friend Martin Vickers and Austin Mitchell for a direct service to Cleethorpes, via Market Rasen, has some chance of success?”

Simon Burns MP, the Transport minister, replied that the Government are committed to having thirty-five new trains on the east coast, which will be a combination of diesel and bi-modal diesel/electric trains. This upgrading is part of an overall £4.5 billion investment in intercity trains.

Lincolnshire MPs Edward Leigh (Conservative), Martin Vickers (Conservative), and Austin Mitchell (Lababour) have joined across the party divide to pressure the Government into ensuring better rail services for residents of the county.