Alternative transport for passengers during essential repairs to Cleethorpes Line

Passengers are being encouraged to check their travel arrangements when the Manchester to Cleethorpes rail line is closed between Doncaster and Scunthorpe for 11 weeks from Monday 22 June.

 First TransPennine Express (FTPE) train services will be replaced by direct road services between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Doncaster until Sunday 6 September as Network Rail carries out works of more than £20 million.

 FTPE trains will continue to run between Doncaster, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Stockport, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.

 The timetable for the alternative road service will be based on two coaches an hour running from Cleethorpes to Doncaster. One service will call only at Grimsby and the other will call at Grimsby, Habrough, Barnetby and Scunthorpe on route to Doncaster.

 The Cleethorpes to Doncaster journey time will be around one hour and forty minutes. A journey from Cleethorpes to Manchester using the alternative service to connect with the train service at Doncaster will take three hours. Travelling from Cleethorpes to Sheffield by coach and train will take just over two hours.

 A similar level of service will run from Doncaster to Cleethorpes supplemented by an additional hourly service between Doncaster and Scunthorpe.

David Mallender, spokesman for First TransPennine Express, says: "We would encourage passengers to check their travel arrangements and allow extra time as the coach departure times will be different to the usual train times and journeys will take longer."

Detailed timings and calling points for the alternative coach services and connection times at Doncaster is available at stations, via on-line journey planners and from national rail enquiries.

Posters are on display at stations, printed pocket timetables are available, staff will be on hand at stations to assist passengers using the road service and signage will be placed at stations to indicate pick-up points.

The engineering work will solve a long-standing problem and allow trains to run more quickly, improving long-term punctuality, reliability and the overall attractiveness of the service.

 Information on all First TransPennine Express services is available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 and at www.tpexpress.co.uk.

 

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