Trains between London and Lincoln could be running every two hours from 2019, it was announced today.

But the Greater Lincolnshire LEP says the improved service won't come quickly enough and is urging the athorities to speed up the timetable.

“It's vital for the Lincoln and Greater Lincolnshire economy that we get an improved direct rail service to London sooner rather than later," said Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

“That's why the Greater Lincolnshire LEP welcomes today’s news that the Virgin and Stagecoach consortium that has been awarded the East Coast mainline franchise has promised to provide trains between Lincoln and London every two hours.

“However, the economy and local business cannot wait four years for this to happen. Along with partners in Lincoln, we will lobby hard to see how this improved service could be brought forward or phased so that Lincoln and Greater Lincolnshire can feel the benefit of better direct rail links with London.”

Inter City Railways, a joint venture between Stagecoach and Virgin, will operate the East Coast Main Line rail franchise from next year.

For Lincoln, the following benefits have been promised:

an additional six trains from and five trains to London from May 2019 upgraded train interiors station served by new high speed IEP trains from 2020 providing more reliable services, more seats, more luggage space, faster journey times and improved wi-fi and mobile coverage.