I don’t think Nigel Chapman got it quite right by choosing to mention the number of extra trains that could be diverted through Spalding.
Sheila Taylor, by the remarks in her letter, has obviously taken it that there would be 100+ trains, when my informed sources tell me there will be only 58 additional main line expresses diverted this way plus a dozen or so freights.
Adding on the 22 local passenger trains makes a total of around 90 during the 15 hour period from 7am to 10pm – that works out at six trains per hour. Sheila Taylor also mentions freight services during the night – there aren’t any luv!
Last week the Doncaster Europort to Felixstowe passed through Spalding just before midnight and the Felixstowe to Selby just after 7am, with nothing in between.
The real problem here is that it has not yet been realised or accepted that the line through Spalding is now an important part of the nation’s infrastructure.
It has been upgraded for the very reason of being a diversionary route and our administrators/councillors etc should have been aware of this from day one, at the same time making their plans to upgrade the road infrastructure, especially on the west side of the town.
The upgrade of the Joint Line was planned for the Network Rail expenditure programme 2009-2014 so the powers that be have had plenty of time to sort out the local road situation.
Oh, I nearly forgot – starting Tuesday, March 3 there will be freight trains during the night.
Graham Broughton
Barrier Bank
Cowbit
