Another step forward to reopening stations for first time in 60 years
PLANS to reopen a number of closed railway stations in Derbyshire have taken a major step forward.
It is hoped that four stations on the Barrow Hill Line would be re-opened if the plans are approved.
The Barrow Hill Line, which connects Chesterfield and Sheffield via a western route, has not had passenger trains stop on it for 60 years.
Since the construction of the current Chesterfield/ Sheffield line, which only stops in Dronfield, the Barrow Hill Line has only been used by freight services and the occasional non-stop train.
Last year, an initial bid was made by local councils and North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley for railway stations to be reopened in Eckington/Renishaw, Killamarsh, Staveley/Barrow Hill and Whittington as part of a bid to reopen the Barrow Hill line to passenger traffic.
The idea is to provide better connectivity for the residents of those areas.
Over the weekend Mr Rowley announced that the proposal has taken a step forward. The bid which was submitted last summer has been moved to the next stage of funding and development by the Government.
This does not mean the re-opening of the line is confirmed.
Last year, a high-level outline business case was produced by the parties involved in the proposal and now the local councils are being told they can develop more detail over the coming months, which will have to be again submitted to the Government.
Mr Rowley said: “We’ve done the first stage and that was in 2021, and now we have the ability to do the really detailed work on how we reopen this line and how we re-open stations.
“This is brilliant news for our area and another example of how we are slowly and steadily trying to build the infrastructure for North-East Derbyshire for the long term. So, whilst there is a long way to go, today does mark another step in our journey here – and, as I’ve said lots, we Chesterfield MP Lee
Rowley welcomed the news on the rail line
This is a fantastic step forward towards the reopening of the Barrow Hill Line for passenger trains.
won’t win every bid we go for but we have to be in it to win it.”
Huw Bowen, chief executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic step forward towards the reopening of the Barrow Hill Line for passenger trains. If completed this will create new and positive opportunities for our residents and businesses and aligns well with other significant investments currently being made by the council and our partners.
“Not only would this act as a catalyst for further private investment in the Staveley Works corridor, improved public transport links make a real difference to the everyday lives of local people – increasing the ability of residents to access jobs and education, and opening up new leisure opportunities for Staveley’s communities. “Chesterfield borough will in time become an important regional transport hub. The £25.2 million Staveley Town Deal includes funding support for a new railway station at Barrow Hill and a new rail industry innovation and training centre at Barrow Hill Roundhouse which will further encourage the growth of the rail sector around Staveley.
“In Chesterfield town centre, our station master plan sets out the council’s ambitions to transform a key gateway into our town centre. “We will continue to work closely with our partners in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire to support the development of this ‘Restoring your Railways’ project through the next phases.”
Huw Bowen