In late 2010 the governments of Cleveland and the Parts of Holland agreed to cooperate on a large public works program in the small, unaffiliated communities of central and northern Lincolnshire. The goal was to improve connections among the communities and - hopefully - encourage them to align themselves with the Organisation of British Nations. The other OBN members therefore contributed money and resources to the project. The military portion of the operation commenced on the 3rd of June 2011 when the designated units began to gather. It was given the code name Operation Hearts and Minds.
Particular objectives included: beginning work on a connecting rail line between Cleveland and Holland; repairing road and foot bridges; surveying navigable rivers in the area; surveying areas suitable for hydro-electric plants wind turbines; improving relations between the OBN and the small communities and collectivities in the region; and encouraging dialogue that could lead to improved political organisation of the region. OBN leaders hoped that the scattered towns and villages of Lincolnshire and adjacent counties could eventually join together to form one or more confederations, which could then participate in the Organisation. Planners envisioned subsequent projects to construct the planned power stations and connect them to a new electrical grid.
Two Battalions of Royal Cleveland Territorial Army (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and the Blues and Royals - approximately 600 troops) crossed the south side of the River Humber in northern Lincolnshire at the onset of the project. Three patrol boats from the Royal Cleveland Navy (RCN) sailed into the Humber, each patrol boat carrying 25 Durham Light Infantry troops. The initial phase of the infrastructure project began on the 17th June 2011 and was to all intents and purposes complete by 7th July 2011. After these initial surveys and preliminary construction jobs, work continued for several years in transport, electrification, and sanitation projects throughout Lincolnshire.
The project spurred political organisation in Lincolnshire. It met the goal of extending the reach of the Organisation of British Nations, demonstrating the benefits of membership and blunting the appeal of the True British Army. The project thus complemented the military actions against the TBA in areas just south of Lincolnshire in 2010 and 2011. The villages around Scunthorpe began discussing unification while the project was ongoing; the Democratic Republic of Trentside was in the process of formation before the end of the year and came into being early in 2012. The towns of Grantham and Sleaford likewise created the Free Territory of the Parts of Kesteven a few months later. Both became OBN members not long after. The seaside villages of Marblethorpe and Skegness did not confederate, but both instituted political reforms that allowed them to join the OBN separately during 2012.
Beginning of the project[]
17th June 2011[]
Cleveish teams have set up a base of operations in the abandoned town of Barton-upon-Humber. They will travel along the former main roads as many appear to be in reasonable condition.
One team of 400 will travel along the A15 and then split into two groups of 200, with Team one going east along the A180 and Team two west along the M180. Each group is supported by armed servicemen of Blues and Royals and a contingent of the REME.
RCN 3 from the RCN has traveled downstream along the Humber and entered the port of Grimsby, finding the locals friendly but isolated and wary of contacts with the outside world. Due to raids and violence in the years following the UK's collapse, survivors in the port town had effectively cut themselves off by destroying roads and bridges.
The rise of the OBN has increased recent contact between Grimsby and the Kingdom of Cleveland to the north and the Parts of Holland to the south. Plans are already in place to link the two kingdoms by restoring railways. The Cleveish team at this time begins surveying sites and estimating costs for the construction of bridges and other local infrastructure. The team also leaves behind engineers to work with the locals to install two small wind generators which can potentially produce electricity for 800 homes.
On the same day Team three, a battalion (300 troops) of the RCTA Regiment of the Royal Green Jackets, arrives in the Cleveish town of Goole in East Yorkshire. They prepare to move into North Lincolnshire following the abandoned rail line southwards towards the town of Thorne, they then plan to survey the city of Doncaster for one week and then continue heading south to survey the towns of Retford and Worksop before heading east towards the city of Lincoln.
19th June 2011[]
Team one whilst heading east along the A180 have entered land around the fortified town of Immingham. After talks with the leaders of the town, they donate small wind generator for the 270 houses in the town. Leaving behind a small crew, the rest of the team move on and are heading for the port town of Grimsby, expecting to arrive on the 20th June.
Team two, heading west, reach the River Ancholme at the abandoned town of Brigg. The two main bridges across the river were damaged and partially collapsed in a flood in 1997. The Cleveish team present a plan to rebuild one bridge in the centre of Brigg. They also open negotiations with leaders of the town of Scunthorpe to increase trade links with OBN nations and set rules for travel through the area.
Two RCN patrol boats (RCN 1 and 2) enter the River Trent and begin exploring upstream. They set a base in the town of Burton upon Strather until negotiation with the town of Scunthorpe have been completed. Their plan is to survey the river upstream as far as possible, including the town of Gainsborough and the bombed city of Nottingham.
20th June 2011[]
Team one arrives in the port town of Grimsby. Surveys begin to identify sites and estimate costs for the installation of two wind turbines and associated infrastructure, expected to be complete by the end of the week.
The discussions between the leaders of Scunthorpe and the commander of Team two advance to the point that the entire team are invited into the town for further discussions with the leadership. RCN 1 and 2 are allowed to pass Scunthorpe and head further up the River Trent.
Team Three arrive in the northern outskirts of Doncaster, a city that was not hit by any nuclear weapons on Doomsday but was later abandoned. After Doomsday radiation came from the air and from the River Don that flows from Sheffield (which was nuked) directly through the centre of Doncaster. Roughly half the population died or left the area within the first six months. After the radiation there were two epidemics, one with flu-like symptoms in the winter of 1983-84 which killed over 10,000, and another during the summer of 198,6 which was more than likely Cholera and killed over 20,000. By the late 1990's much of the city had been abandoned, the population less than 15,000; then in late 1995 there was a massive flood down the Don Valley. This carried massive levels of radiation from Sheffield and destroyed the city centre. Another major flood occured in 2007, after which many remaining residents headed east.
The team interviews some of the few remaining locals and decides that investment in the Doncaster area would not be feasible at this time.
21st June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 continue southwards, traveling upstream on the River Trent; they pass Scunthorpe early in the morning and reach the northern outskirts of town of Gainsborough by late evening. The teams set up base on the outskirts and hope to survey the town on the 22nd.
RCN 3 returns to the Cleveish base at Barton-upon-Humber early on the morning of the 21st June. It picks up 50 REME troops and returns to Grimsby to continue construction work in the town.
Team one leaves Grimsby after the arrival of the REME troops brought by RCN 3 and heads for the Mablethorpe along the Lincolnshire coastline.
Team two continues with discussions with the leaders of Scunthorpe. The Cleveish team offers to begin a long-term project that will ultimately include five wind generators and a hydroelectric plant on the River Trent. The wind generators would provide power to 900 homes and the centre of town, and the hydro plant would provide power to an additional 1500 houses.
The town of Scunthorpe asks to be connected to the Cleveish Railway system as soon as possible, and after briefly surveying the remaining existing line to Grimsby on the way to Scunthorpe the REME troops think that they could reconnect the town by the end of the year. The connection has been given high priority by the Cleveish government.
Team three continues its survey of the abandoned city of Doncaster, expected to take roughly a week.
22nd June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 advance as far as Gainsborough, a town of 4000 people that actively trades up and down the Trent and Humber. The Cleveish teams are permitted to use the port as a base for further surveys of the River Trent. The town will receive two wind generators that will provide power for 700 homes, and in the next month a new team will arrive to study the possibility of building a hydroelectric plant on the Trent.
RCN 3 returns to the Cleveish base at Barton-upon-Humber to pick up 50 REME troops. It will transport them to Scunthorpe on the 23rd of June.
Team one arrives in the town of Mablethorpe and has set up a wind generator to produce power for the town.
Team Two splits in two: one team of 100 men, including 25 REME, will move south from Scunthorpe once the new team has arrive from Barton tomorrow. The other half will remain in Scunthorpe to assist rebuilding.
The infrastructure project bears fruit in Scunthorpe when the city-state's council express an interest in forming closer ties with the Organisation of British Nations. The land that Scunthorpe has control over lies between the Rivers Trent (West), Humber (North) and Ancholme (East) and the A631 (South). After taking time to discuss the matter with citizens, they will meet on July 5th to agree on a plan for the town's future.
Team three are continuing their survey of Doncaster.
23rd June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 continue working in the town of Gainsborough throughout today and tomorrow and will leave on the 25th.
RCN 3 arrives in Scunthorpe with a further 50 REME personnel. They will stay overnight and then return to Barton-upon-Humber on the 24th of June.
Team one leaves Mablethorpe to travel towards Skegness and will arrive in Skegness by the 24th June.
Team two: the now smaller team leaves Scunthorpe and begins traveling south down the Roman Ermine Street (A15) towards the city of Lincoln and will arrive by the 27th June.
Team three: The survey of Doncaster is progressing faster than expected and should be finished by the 25th June, after which it will head south along the Great North Road to conduct surveys in the towns of Worksop and Retford.
24th June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 remain in Gainsborough and will travel upstream tomorrow, hoping to reach the town of Newark-upon-Trent by the 27th June.
RCN 3 return to Barton-upon-Humber base to resupply before heading to Skegness tomorrow.
Team one have reached the town of Chapel St Leonards and will reach Skegness tomorrow.
Team two enter the abandoned town of West Firsby. Progress has been quicker because the local road system has continued to be used and, to an extent, maintained. They now expect to reach Lincoln on the 26th June rather than the 27th June.
Team three conclude their survey of Doncaster and rest overnight before a move south towards Retford and Worksop.
25th June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 stops outside of the twin towns of Dunham and Newton-on-Trent. The Democratic Republic of Lindsey, a somewhat reclusive confederation in the interior of Lincolnshire, sends out messages that the units are not to continue into its territory. The communities of Lindsey are involved in disputes with some of their neighbors and have looked with deep skepticism on this major military project of electrification, seeing it as an excuse to spread Cleveland's political influence. The naval units therefore withdraw from the area, moving back down the Trent. At the moment the town leaders of Newark do not even consent to in-person negotiations on the topic, repeating only the demand that the Clevish teams stay out of their territory.
RCN 3 arrives in Skegness with 50 REME troops to assist Team one, who also reach the town today.
Team one arrive in Skegness less than an hour before RCN 3's further 50 REME troops.
Team two decide to hold at the abandoned town of West Firsby until the 28th of June, given the word from RCN 1 and 2 that operations in Lindsay have been stalled.
Team three head for the town of Worksop. They will give both Worksop and Retford a rough survey and then will split into two teams of 150 men. Half will meet with RCN 1 and 2 and then travel onto Newark-upon-Trent, and the other half will march overnight to meet with Team two on the 28th June, before moving towards Lincoln.
26th June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 remain upriver from Dunham and Newton-on-Trent.
RCN 3 and Team one spread out around Skegness to assist in repair work to rail lines.
Team two remains in the abandoned town of West Firsby. They still plan to move west to meet RCN 1 and 2 in Dunham and Newton-on-Trent on the 28th, but the ongoing standoff with the town leaders has thrown uncertainty over these plans.
Team three approach the town of Worksop. It is a heavily defended settlement with a wall surrounding the town centre and large ditch network linking to the River Ryton. Former parts of the town south of the river have been abandoned and burnt. Its economy is simple, technology at a pre-industrial level. Its defenses exist because shortly after Doomsday the town suffered numerous attacks from marauders, followed by contingents from the True British Army in the 90s, and in the 2000s various raids from both Matlock to the west and Lindsey to the east. The wall and ditch were put up over the course of these years.
Four messengers from the town meet with the team a few miles out to rebuff the project, calling it too big, too heavily armed, and frightening to local citizens. An offer of wind generators and a hydro plant on the Ryton is declined, but the town accepts a project to improve the water and sewage system.
Ten REME troops will be left in Worksop to repair the water and sewage system while the rest of the team continues toward the town of Retford.
27th June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 remain outside Dunham and Newton-on-Trent; RCN 3 and Team one remain in Skegness.
Team two follow the plan despite the uncertainty, moving west to meet RCN 1 and 2 outside Dunham.
Team three arrive in Retford to a friendlier welcome than they received at Worksop. 50 personnel (including 10 REME troops) stay in the town to work on sewage and water systems. The remainder of the team (280 troopers) head southeast, down the old A1 road, towards the town of Newark-upon-Trent to join Team two and RCN 1 and 2.
300 more REME troops arrive in Barton-upon-Humber to begin work on the rail line between Barton and Grimsby and from the Grimsby line to Scunthorpe and Gainsborough with the possibility of extending it to Retford and Worksop at a later date.
28th June 2011[]
Team two join RCN 1 and 2 and Team two near Dunham and Newton-on-Trent but will hold until negotiations with leaders in Newark-upon-Trent allow them to continue.
RCN 3 return to Barton-upon-Humber to pick up 50 REME troops, then return to Mablethorpe to begin work on the newly named Lincolnshire coastal railway (LCR).
Team one also works on the LCR between Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Team three moves toward Newark-upon-Trent to join RCN 1 and 2 and Team two.
29th June 2011[]
The town of Newark-upon-Trent, supported by other member towns of the Lindsey republic, now formally protests the size of the force massed nearby, consisting of RCN 1 and 2, Teams two and three, and demands that they disperse. At midday, an armed force of 500 men form outside the town and advance up the road to block the teams. Scouting parties exchange fire in the countryside between the two forces' positions. The tense standoff continues into the next day.
RCN 3 moves 50 REME troops from Barton-on-Humber to the town of Saltfleetby St Clements; they will move inland and start work on the LCR.
Team one are continuing work on the new LCR.
30th June 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2, Team two and three remain on the outskirts of Dunham and Newton-on-Trent, awaiting orders from the governments of Cleveland and the Parts of Holland. Lindsey repeats its demand that any armed force be withdrawn from its territory.
RCN 3 move another 50 REME troops to Chapel St Leonards to work on the LCR link between the towns of Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Team one continue to work on the LCR between Skegness and Boston.
Operations in Lindsey and Kesteven[]
1st July 2011[]
RCN 1 return Gainsborough before moving back to Barton-upon-Humber for resupplying and to pick up more personnel if needed.
RCN 2 remain with Teams two and three in the vicinity of Dunham and Newton-on-Trent.
Team one continues work on the LCR.
Officers of Teams two and three begin to negotiate with the town of Newark-upon-Trent and other towns of Lindsey. The withdrawal of RCN 1 is considered a show of good faith, but the Republic requires that any survey of its territory be conducted by teams that are much smaller and more lightly armed than the group currently massed. Leaders feel deceived, that Cleveland misrepresented the size and strength of the planned team in discussions earlier in the year. Some are unhappy about the involvement of the Parts of Holland, a state known to have invaded the territory of two of its neighbors the previous year. The situation remains tense and no conclusion is found as the day ends.
Key facts about the Democratic Republic of Lindsey:
- Although called a republic, it is effectively several independent townships who signed a mutual trade agreement in 1999. Each township has significant independence from each other.
- The Republic is truly democratic nation with all public positions elected.
- They have a small Army in relation to other OBN nations (around 5000 men)
- They have a population of roughly 75,000.
- They are based in the towns of Newark-upon-Trent, Market Rasen, Horncastle, Louth, (the largest town in the area and de facto Capital City) and the City of Lincoln (Ceremonial Capital - it was partly abandoned in 1983 and very few people live there).
Within Newark-upon-Trent, former British PM Thatcher has become the focus of a form of hero worship. Many had waited for years for her to return to the United Kingdom, and her visit a few years earlier was an occasion of celebration in the town. Many went to see her during a stop in Bourne, though she never made it as far inland as the Lindsey towns.
The town follows a version of Thatcherism:
- The political culture is motivated by a staunch anti-communism.
- Ostensibly to combat inflation, the town promotes free trade with other Lindsey townships but protectionism to regulate trade with nations outside it.
- The tight control of the money supply and public expenditure.
- The return to 'Victorian values' (of the Samuel Smiles variety).
- Privatization of as many government agencies as possible.
- Constraints on the labour movement - including the abolition of all trade unions.
- A portrait of the former PM takes pride of place above the main council chamber.
2nd July 2011[]
RCN 1 moves south to the Wash, near the territory of the Parts of Holland. A team diplomatic staff embark and expect to be back in Newark-upon-Trent by the 3rd of July.
RCN 2 remains near Newark-upon-Trent.
RCN 3 returns to Cleveland to debrief superior officers on the project: the findings from surveys along the LCR, estimates of cost to complete it, including bridges and railway cuttings.
Team one continue work to either side of Skegness on the course for the LCR.
Discussions between the Clevelanders and leaders of Lindsey reach an agreement. 50 Cleveish troops (25 of them REME) are invited to conduct surveys of towns in the Republic, beginning with the capital Lincoln on the 5th July. They will be minimally armed and travel with diplomatic observers from both Lindsey and the Parts of Holland.
The remainder of the Cleveish troops will leave the area. Team two will head towards the ruins of the city of Nottingham. Team three will head south to the towns of Grantham, Sleaford and Boston.
3rd July 2011[]
RCN 1 move from Holland toward Lincoln with a contingent of 10 diplomatic staff. Due to bad weather in the North Sea they will not arrive back in Newark-upon-Trent until the 4th July.
RCN 2 remain near Newark-upon-Trent, boarding some boats of RCN 1. When the rest return, they will move together upstream toward Nottingham.
RCN 3 will remain in Cleveland and will play no further part in the Lincolnshire Infrastructure Project.
Team one continue work along the LCR.
Team two head toward Nottingham and expect to arrive on the 5th July.
Team three head toward Grantham and expect to arrive on the 4th July.
4th July 2011[]
The rest of RCN 1 arrives in Newark-upon-Trent with the diplomatic team from the Parts of Holland. They have a briefing with the commander of the Cleveish troops and meet with local Newark officials. They will move towards Lincoln tomorrow. RCN 1 will join RCN 2 and travel upstream to the nuked city of Nottingham tomorrow.
Team one moves to the town of Boston to continue work on the LCR. After radio contact with Team three, a division of 100 men will move towards the town of Sleaford tomorrow. In both Sleaford and Grantham, and other tiny settlements in the Parts of Kesteven, the mission will include political and civic organisation as well as infrastructure development. Many local leaders are sympathetic to the growing Organisation of British Nations; but this is also part of the zone of influence of the True British Army, partisans of which can be found throughout the area. Leaders hope that the infrastructure project can win hearts and minds toward the OBN and away from the TBA.
The infrastructure project accelerates debate in Sleaford, Grantham, and a few other villages over the formation of a new confederation roughly corresponding with the traditional Parts of Kesteven. Team one's presence helps build support for the idea, since it is generally assumed that such a confederation would join the OBN. Council members in both Sleaford and Grantham begin to meet with one another and with citizens to consider the idea.
Team two will arrive in Nottingham tomorrow along with RCN 1 and 2.
Team three arrive in Grantham. Grantham already has trade agreements with both Sleaford and the town of Melton Mowbray to the west. Officers in Team three meet with a group of Grantham councillors, who believe that it is more than likely that both these towns will be willing to join together at the earliest opportunity. The team contacts Team one and will send a division to Sleaford tomorrow.
Team three will move on towards Melton Mowbray tomorrow.
5th July 2011[]
The council of Scunthorpe and its surrounding area open a session to discuss the formation of a larger state covering the Trentside region.
RCN 1 and 2 travel upstream on the River Trent to the outskirts of the bombed city of Nottingham.
Team one reached the town of Boston late last night to a warm welcome. Boston sits on the outskirts of the Parts of Holland and has been loosely associated with it. While the project aims to bring other Lincolnshire settlements into the OBN, Boston is on track to be annexed directly to Holland. It is already scheduled to hold a referendum on the question on the 22nd July.
Team one begins work on a rail line from Boston to Skegness. It will not become operational until the line from Grimsby is completed, projected for the end of the year.
100 men from Team one heads toward Sleaford with a team of 25 men from Bosto. They expect to be there tomorrow.
Team two reach the edge of the ruins of Nottingham. Together with RCN 1 and 2, they will begin their survey of the ruins tomorrow.
Team three reach the town of Melton Mowbray at mid-morning. The town is relatively isolated compared to those in Lincolnshire, but due to the trade agreements with Grantham the town leadership are also discussing the idea of a Kesteven confederation.
The delegation of Cleveish troops and Holland diplomats reach the city of Lincoln. Its main city centre is intact with only slight damage, but the outskirts and suburbs are abandoned and overgrown. The entire south of the city (south of the River Witham) was destroyed in a fire. A wall was built around the central core from demolished buildings.
The assembled leadership of the Democratic Republic of Lindsey meet the delegation in Lincoln Castle's great Cobb hall. They are given a state meal before being given rooms in the Castle. They are due to begin negotiations tomorrow.
6th July 2011[]
RCN 1, 2 and Team two complete their survey of the ruins of Nottingham. South of the River Trent, the city is seriously damaged and abandoned. North of the river, they locate the detonation point of the bomb. It went off almost directly over Nottingham railway station; it could be identified by the large amount of twisted railway lines in the area, the remains of a partly melted diesel locomotive, and very little else.
The buildings in the area surrounding the former station are flattened to the ground out to a quarter mile. Stunted vegetation appears from 300 yards outwards. The majority of the city appears to have been burnt at or shortly after Doomsday.
The outskirts became totally overgrown in the years since the attacks. Throughout the entirety of the exploration, no signs of modern habitation are found.
The exploration of Nottingham being completed, Team two makes its way towards Melton Mowbray. RCN 1 and 2 return to Barton-upon-Humber to assist in construction of the LCR.
Team one continues work on the LCR.
Team three are to remain in Melton Mowbray until they can meet up with Team two. Both teams will rest and recuperate in the town.
Cleveland's military completes a round of secret talks with its OBN allies, Essex and Woodbridge. They are planning an attack on a True British Army stronghold on Rutland Water in late August. Cleveland agrees to station troops in southern Lincolnshire until then to contribute to the attack.
As well as combat personnel from Team two and three, a further 1500 troops taken from the Royal Cleveland Territorial Army (RCTA) Regiments of the Royal Green Jackets, the Dragoon Guards and the Queens Own Hussars, as well as 250 full time Marines, will be deployed to Skegness in early August.
End of the survey phase of the project[]
7th July 2011[]
RCN 1 and 2 arrive in Barton-upon-Humber to resupply before returning to Skegness. In August they will transport the extra troops to shore for the attack on Rutland Water. Until then they will assist in the building the LCR.
Team one is continuing work on the LCR.
Team two and Team three arrive in Melton Mowbray to hold in the area until the attack on Rutland Water in August.
22nd July 2011[]
The town of Boston counts the results of its referendum on annexation to the Kingdom of the Parts of Holland. Results are as follows:
- Boston
- Yes - 52%
- No - 48%
Though close, the majority vote passes the threshold needed to pass. In the coming months, Boston will be integrated into the Kingdom.
Lincolnshire Coastal Railway (LCR)[]
The Lincolnshire Coastal Railway company was established in Cleveland in early 2011. At the start of the Lincolnshire Infrastructure Project, the Clevelander Army began renovating lines along the coastal edge of Lincolnshire from the Humber Bridge in the north to Boston in the south.
Track along the section between Skegness and Mablethorpe is completed on the 7th August 2011.
The line from Grimsby to Mablethorpe reaches as far south as the village of Conisholme. While refurbishment continues on the bridge across the Saltfleet, on the 8th of August work begins on track to the north. This project is completed on the 18th August, the same day that Melton Mowbray, Gratham, and Sleaford confirm a treaty to form the Free Territory of the Parts of Kesteven. Boston announces its intention to integrate into Holland on the same day.
A new section will need to be built between Grimsby and Skegness and is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2011. After completion, the day-to-day running and maintenance of the line will be undertaken by Albion Railways Ltd, a Cleveland-based group. The ownership of the line itself will be shared with a state agency of the Parts of Holland. This deal will last five years, after which ownership and maintenance will be renegotiated, perhaps to be shared more equitably among all the city-states that lie along it.
The ceremonial connection of the LCR took place on the 25th August in a field near the village of Hogsthorpe. The ceremony is attended by Cleveland's Queen Zara and Holland's Lord Lieutenant William Harrison. Both arrive in trains, though they had completed much of the journey by boat - the line's track is laid but its bridges are not yet ready. The trains stop near the connection point. The heads of state disembark to trade gifts, then join together to conduct a short tour first of Cleveland and then of the Parts of Holland.
Expected branchlines[]
The railway line between Habrough (on the main LCR) and Scunthorpe is surveyed in late August 2011. Construction will begin the next year.
From the village Barnetby, another branch line will be completed to the town of Brigg at the same time at the line to Scunthorpe. This branchline will be further extended to Gainsborough, Retford, and Worksop. It will also have side branches linking to the three newly reopened coal mines in the area, those being Shireoaks (opened 22nd November 2011), Manton (opened 13th December 2011), and Steetley (opened 28th December 2011).
Another railway line between Boston and Gratham, via Sleaford will be renovated in 2012, possibly to be extended to Melton Mowbray in 2013.
1st December 2011[]
All Cleveish troops withdraw from the area covered by the Lincolnshire Infrastructure Project. The OBN nations will conduct periodic patrols of the area in the future.
Political developments in 2012[]
The Infrastructure Project served as a catalyst for political developments in the area, as the planers had hoped for. Two new confederations form in 2012 in regions that it served.
Trentside, March 2012[]
- Scunthorpe referendum
Scunthorpe and its surrounding area undertake a referendum on 5th July on the question of forming a new polity called Trentside with neighboring towns. The results are as follows:
- Yes - 8,743
- No - 7,912
The results are close, but the vote returns a Yes, a result matched by yes returns in outlying settlements. Scunthorpe's council accordingly begins preliminary plans for the formation of a Democratic Republic of Trentside, a confederation of towns modeled on their neighbor Lindsey.
The council of Scunthorpe's largest and nearest trading partner, Gainsborough, already indicated that it would participate in the confederation pending the vote in Scunthorpe. Accordingly, Gainsborough will join with Scunthorpe as a part of Trentside.
- Worksop and Retford
After their neighbouring trading towns of Scunthorpe and Gainsborough decide to join together to form Trentside, the townships of Worksop and Retford also decide to pursue membership in the new confederation.
Kesteven, May 2012[]
Sleaford, Melton Mowbray, and Grantham hold a referendum on 22 May on the question of forming a new Free Territory of the Parts of Kesteven. The results are as follows:
- Sleaford
- Yes - 67%
- No - 38%
- Melton Mowbray
- Yes - 36%
- No - 62%
- Grantham
- Yes - 58%
- No - 42%
Sleaford and Grantham vote to unite in the Free Territory, while Melton Mowbray will remain outside it.