Calls for Donington's railway links to be reopened before Matthew Flinders returns in 2024

Calls have been made for Donington’s railway links to be reopened ahead of the return of the village’s most famous son.

Campaigner Graham Lilley, who is a member of Railfuture Lincolnshire, feels that the village’s railway links should be restored ahead of the navigator Matthew Flinders being interred in St Mary and the Holy Rood Church in 2024.

The need for the village’s railway to be restored has been highlighted on numerous occasions by Donington parish councillor David Hawkins, who would like to see MP Sir John Hayes pick up the issue.

Before the pandemic hit, Sir John had been lobbying for money to allow passengers to catch trains from stations in Littleworth, Deeping St Nicholas and Donington.

Mr Lilley said: “To reach Donington by public transport, it is necessary to take a train to either Boston or Spalding and then, take the 57 Boston-Donington-Spalding bus service to the village.

“Railfuture Lincolnshire is avidly campaigning for the electrification of the entirety of Lincolnshire’s railway network and for an eastern freight bypass for the City of Lincoln.

“When the Matthew Flinders ‘pilgrims’ get into full swing, it will solve Lincolnshire’s declining passenger numbers. The shortage of carriages nationwide - but, Lincolnshire in particular - will make travel difficult. A clash is anticipated between the increased passenger numbers and the increase of freight trains. South-east Lincolnshire’s taxi, dial-a-ride and bus services will not be able to take the strain.”

Coun Hawkins feels that Donington needs a railway as the village is a ‘satellite’ for Boston and Spalding, where people work.

He said: “Before the pandemic came along we were going to have a member of the Department of Transport to come and have a look at Donington.

“I would call on Sir John to pick this up again.”

In 2020 the Government announced an allocation of £500million to reopen historic lines.