Train services between two cities to double

The number of trains between Lincoln and Nottingham is set to double.

Network Rail said services between the two cities will increase from once an hour to twice an hour.

The changes will happen when a new timetable is introduced in December.

Plans were also announced to increase train speeds on the route from 55mph (89kph) to 70mph (113kph) by resignalling the Swinderby line and closing down the signal box there.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the changes were unveiled at a meeting of Lincolnshire County Council by representatives from Network Rail alongside bosses from East Midlands Railway.

Network Rail said the timetable changes will be funded by an increase in rail fares, an expected increase in passenger numbers and a rise in the revenue generated.

Chris Patman from East Midlands Railway, said the rain operator was "looking at reducing the turn-around times between trains".

"There's a big increase in high capacity, There will be a 20% increase in seats," he said.

"We've put a lot of focus into the turn-around times of trains after they pull into the station. We believe this new timetable will drive passenger growth."

Mr Patman added there were also plans to tackle waiting times for passengers travelling between Sleaford and Boston.

East Midlands Railway told councillors it was spending £28.2m refurbishing its fleet of trains with better quality seating and improved CCTV.

Reform UK councillor Ingrid Sheard said the planned improvements were "really encouraging" but smaller rural stations should not be overlooked.

"We also need to look at station safety," she said.

"People don't feel that the smaller stations are manned very well. They don't feel safe getting off the train."

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices.