Rail operator Grand Central has announced it will abandon plans to launch a direct service linking Cleethorpes and Grimsby with London. The firm, part of the Arriva Group, had sought approval to run direct trains between London King's Cross and Cleethorpes, a proposal that received strong backing from councillors at North East Lincolnshire Council.
Application withdrawn after lengthy assessment
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) had been considering Grand Central's application, which would have connected the capital with Cleethorpes via Scunthorpe and Doncaster, for over a year. Submitted in March 2025, it represented an alternative to LNER's longstanding plans to extend its Lincoln to London King's Cross route through to Cleethorpes.
However, the operator has now revealed it has been compelled to pull its application, citing the "length of time" required to assess the proposal, which has rendered it "no longer viable".
Operator expresses disappointment
In a statement, Chris Brandon, director of Grand Central, said: "We are deeply disappointed to have been forced to withdraw our application to operate services between London King's Cross and Cleethorpes. Unfortunately, despite significant local support, the length of time currently being taken to assess applications means that our proposal is no longer viable."
"Grand Central remains firmly committed to our long-standing mission of connecting communities that are underserved by the traditional rail network. That commitment is demonstrated by our £300m investment in a new hybrid fleet, manufactured in Newton Aycliffe, as well as the other applications we currently have before the regulator", reports Grimsby Live.
"We remain hopeful that these applications will be considered within a timeframe that allows us to deliver the significant economic and social benefits that improved rail connectivity can bring to communities across the country."
Earlier amendments and local support
Grand Central amended its application to the ORR earlier this year, having originally sought to operate four return services, which would also have called at Scunthorpe, Habrough and Grimsby. It subsequently suggested that services could link up with existing services between London and Doncaster, while also incorporating several additional stops further south.
However, in March, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander "made it very clear that there was no intention to restore the service any time soon". According to reports, the operator had intended to deploy Class 820 diesel trains, and had placed orders for nine trains, with the first anticipated to enter service in 2028.
In August, councillors gave their unanimous backing to proposals for restoring the direct rail service. At the time, the council confirmed it was seeking the Prime Minister's support while also writing to the Office of Rail and Road in favour of Grand Central's proposals.
Regulator responds to withdrawal
The ORR told trade publication RAIL: "While opposition does not in itself mean an application takes longer to assess, the issues raised can require further evidence and consideration. In this case, there were detailed capacity, performance and wider economic issues progressing under our consideration before Grand Central withdrew its application."
"We highlighted the limited availability of capacity on the ECML in 2025, in the light of the major recast of the timetable that was implemented last December where we approved a significant number of new train services including open access."
"It follows that we must undertake detailed assessment of subsequent applications to add further services to that part of the network in order to decide them fairly. We have received a high volume of such applications for additional services."
