Better Rail, Safer Roads, Stronger Grantham

For generations, Grantham has benefited from its position strategically located in the middle of the Eastern part of the country, with transport links that underpin opportunity. Strong rail and road connections support local jobs, attract investment, and provide residents with access to education, employment, and wider services. Maintaining and strengthening these connections is essential if Grantham is to continue to thrive in the years ahead.

Rail services remain central to the town’s connectivity. Frequent trains link Grantham directly to London, Nottingham, and beyond, allowing workers to commute efficiently, students to travel to school or college, and families to access broader opportunities. Reliable rail links do more than facilitate journeys – they sustain our local economy, connect communities, and ensure Grantham remains a place where people want to live, work, and study.

To understand how these services are performing, I recently launched a local survey focused on rail provision. For those who have already responded, it has been invaluable to hear your experiences. Feedback highlights the strengths of our position on the East Coast Main Line, with convenient services south to London and north to Edinburgh, while also identifying gaps in connectivity between smaller local stations such as Heckington and Ancaster and nearby towns such as Sleaford and Nottingham. Listening to both positive feedback and constructive criticism enables me to engage with the relevant authorities to improve transport across the constituency.

Grantham has long been the transport hub of South Kesteven, and it is vital that this continues. Recent improvements at Grantham station itself, including pedestrian access and safety measures, are making it easier for passengers to use the rail network. At the same time, ongoing engineering work on the East Coast Main Line, including the introduction of new digital signalling, is enhancing reliability and increasing capacity for services. These improvements ensure that rail continues to support commuters, students, and local businesses, keeping the town well connected for the future.

Road transport is of course equally important. Since first being elected in 2019, it is well known that I have prioritised the safety and reliability of the A,1 for example. Encouraged by the results from a previous A1 survey I sent to over 25,000 constituents, National Highways have already undertaken work to close a number of crossovers residents identified as a concern. Work is ongoing into those that remain as the body responsible for the road seeks to balance access while ensuring safety. I am hopeful that improvements will also ease congestion and support local growth.

Put simply, connectivity is a vital aspect of any functioning community. Protecting and enhancing it is not just a matter of convenience, it is essential for our local economy, the well-being of residents, and the opportunities available to future generations. I would be grateful for your support in this task by taking the time to complete and return my survey if you receive one. Ultimately, better rail and safer roads, mean a stronger and more prosperous area for everyone and so this will always be a key focus for my work both locally and nationally.