Plans for increased rail services through Spalding could be implemented later this year

Plans for increased rail services through Spalding are on track.

Proposals to run an additional four trains every Saturday and an extra one each weekday are currently on the table, it can be revealed.

Although East Midlands Railway is remaining tight-lipped about the details of these plans - which could come into force later this year - it appears that hopes of a much-needed Sunday service remain on the buffers.

The news was revealed by Department for Transport parliamentary under-secretary Simon Lightwood, in response to a written question from South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes.

“East Midlands Railway’s proposed new regional timetable for December 2025 includes one additional service every weekday and four additional services every Saturday calling at Spalding,” he wrote, after Sir John queried what discussions had been held regarding the ‘feasibility of increasing the frequency of train services to and from’ the town.

Spalding Railway Station sits on the Peterborough-Lincoln route, but the timetable doesn’t always suit travellers’ needs.

At present there is no Sunday service, meaning shoppers, employees who work in the two cities, university students returning home for the weekend and revellers looking for an overnight city break all have to make alternative travel plans.

Locals looking for an evening away also miss out due to a lack of late-night trains at weekends.

These times also hit the town’s economy, making a trip to Spalding less appealing for train-reliant travellers.

“Any increase in services, as long as it’s feasible, is very welcome,” said George Scott of the Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum.

“Hopefully people would make the most of it and use it.

“I’m all in favour. Hopefully some of these services could run in the evening time, but I’d say please consider a Sunday service.”

An East Midlands Railway spokesperson said: “The East Coast timetable change presents the opportunity for EMR to develop a future timetable that would complement and improve EMR and East Coast connections.

“Enabling our long-term strategy objective of better connecting communities across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

“EMR has put forward a bid for a proposed new regional timetable for December 2025 and is awaiting regulatory approval. Further information will be available in due course."