# Central Lincolnshire

Central Lincolnshire is the region of Lincolnshire in the East Midlands, England. The area covers the districts of North Kesteven and West Lindsey as well as the City of Lincoln. The name is used for the planning and development of a part of Lincolnshire surrounding Lincoln, North Hykeham, Sleaford, Market Rasen, Caistor and Gainsborough as well as other outlying villages and hamlets.

## History
### Purpose of the region

Central Lincolnshire was designated to help with the growing population, demand for developments, and planning permission for specific towns and villages in North Kesteven, Lincoln, and West Lindsey. Most of the area between Lincoln and North Hykeham is urbanized with North Hykeham, Bracebridge, and part of Waddington built up to the boundary between Lincoln and North Kesteven.

### Demographics

The total population of each district recorded at the 2021 Census was as follows:
| # | Subdivision | Population 2021 | Population 2011 | Population 2001 | Population 1991 | Population 1981 |
| 1 | Lincoln | 103,825 | 93,541 | 85,595 | 84,800 | 76,795 |
| 2 | North Kesteven | 118,502 | 108,518 | 94,400 | 80,000 | 80,200 |
| 3 | West Lindsey | 95,555 | 89,352 | 79,600 | 76,500 | 77,700 |
| Total | Total | 317,882 | 291,411 | 259,595 | 241,300 | 234,695 |

## Transportation
### Roads

The main roads through the region are the:
A15, A16, A17, A46, A57, A153, A156, A158, A159, A631, A1121 & A1434 roads.

### Railways

The region is mostly served by the following railway lines and stations:
*East Coast Main Line (London King's Cross LNER) stations at Lincoln
*Grimsby–Lincoln–Newark line stations at Swinderby, Hykeham, Lincoln & Market Rasen
*Nottingham–Lincoln line stations at Swinderby, Hykeham & Lincoln
*Peterborough–Lincoln line stations at Lincoln, Metheringham, Ruskington & Sleaford
*Poacher Line stations at Rauceby, Sleaford & Heckington
*Sheffield–Lincoln line stations at Gainsborough Central (Brigg Branch), Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby & Lincoln

### Cycling, horseriding and walkways

Some notable former railway lines have been repurposed for use as mutli-use footpath and greenways. Some of these include:
Grantham and Lincoln railway line – Lincoln – Bracebridge, Waddington, Harmston, Navenby, Leadenham, Caythorpe, Honington, Barkston & Grantham.
Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway – Lincoln – Tuxford via Skellingthorpe, Doddington and Harby, Clifton-on-Trent, Fledborough (via Fledborough Viaduct) & Dukeries Junction.
Lincoln St Marks Branch – Reepham, Lincoln St Marks & Hykeham.
Lincolnshire loop line – Lincoln – Boston via Washingborough, Five Mile House, Bardney, Southrey, Stixwould, Woodhall Junction, Tattershall, Dogdyke, Langrick & Boston.

## Geography
### Urban areas

The region covers the following built-up areas from population size:
* Lincoln – (114,879) – covers Bracebridge Heath, Canwick, Lincoln, North Hykeham, South Hykeham and Waddington.
* Gainsborough – (20,842) – covers Gainsborough and Morton.
* Sleaford – (17,359) – covers Quarrington and Sleaford.
* Market Rasen – (4,773)
* Caistor – (2,489)

### Conjoined villages

Apart from the aforementioned urban centers, the vast majority of Central Lincolnshire is rural. Some of the villages in the region form their own built-up areas:
* Welton-Dunholme-Scampton (part) (8,704)
* Washingborough-Heighington (6,385)
* Saxilby-Ingleby (4,428)
* Branston-Waddington (part) (4,283)
* Navenby-Wellingore (3,159)
* Skellingthorpe-Jerusalem (3,117)
* Brauncewell-Byards Leap-Cranwell-Temple Bruer (2,585)