In speech this week, Rachel Reeves announced that the Restoring Your Railways Fund is to be cancelled.
The Ivanhoe line in Leicestershire was part of the Restoring Your Railways fund and leaves it in danger of being cancelled.
The first phase of reopening the line was recommended by Network Rail as part of an Outline Business Case study.
The Chancellor also announced that there is to be a review by the Transport Secretary into schemes that may justify replacement funding being made available.
CRIL feels this is an opportunity for local MPs to lobby their support as the funding required to reopen the line between Derby and Burton via Swadlincote, Ashby and Coalville is around £100m.
“After so much optimism generated by the very positive outcome of the Outline Business Case prepared for the Department of Transport, this is a bitter blow to the campaign.
Now is the chance for the new Labour MPs in the two key constituencies, who were so supportive of the reopening during the recent election campaign, to roll up their sleeves and demonstrate to their government that the relatively modest investment needed will quickly deliver significant social and economic benefits to the A511 corridor.
CRIL aims to work in partnership with our MPs to support their work lobbying for the line. We will also be organising a Call to Action to coordinate our local supporters to express their views to local and national politicians”
CRIL Spokesman Douglas McLay
Responses
In a pub, never talk religion and politics.
I think the same should apply here.
A typically negative reaction by a Labour government devoid of any useful ideas of its own. So much for any ‘green’ transport aspirations.
At least the Conservatives gave station and route re-openings for passengers some hope of achieving such.
Huge thanks to EVERYONE who voted Labour. Well done.
John, the figures show that not very many did vote for Labour! But there you go. As was rightly stated, it’s now up to the local MPs to show what their made of and get the project approved. Never mind all the solar and wind farms, this is something that people actually want.