Light at the end of the tunnel after railway rejection
COUNCILLORS AND CAMPAIGNERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON THE DECISION
EAST Riding councillors have said the Government’s decision not to fund a study into rebuilding the Beverley to York railway line was “disappointing”.
Market Weighton Mayor Peter Hemmerman, chair of the Minster Rail campaign group, said the government’s rejection was likely due to the line’s rebuilding being more “complex and expensive” than others.
But he claimed the government had “moved the goal posts” by saying their business case needed work, despite that being the aim of the feasibility study they wanted funding for.
East Riding Conservative Councillor Leo Hammond, a backer of reopening the line, said he disagreed with the mayor adding the government had limited funding and had to prioritise.
He added there was still “light at the end of the tunnel” with future rounds of funding and that Rail Minister Chris Heaton-harris told campaigners their proposal had merit. Liberal Democrat Councillor Denis Healy, ward member for Beverley’s St Marys ward, said government’s decision had “closed the door” on the plans.
He added it showed Whitehall’s priorities did not include the East Riding.
The reaction follows the bid for funding to explore the possibility of reopening the line axed during the 1960’s after the Beeching Review.
East Riding Council backed the funding bid earlier this year, one of 50 applications shortlisted of an initial 219 from across the country.
Mayor Hemmerman said Minster Rail would continue to push for the line despite the government’s decision.
The campaigner said: “It might not happen in my lifetime, but we still need an alternative form of mass transit.
“The feedback from government was that we needed to address the viability of the line and the business case. But although the government has helped us they moved the goal posts on this, we bid for the funding so we could study that.
“We’ll be continuing with our campaign, but we might have to look at others ways to get the funding”.
But Cllr Hammond said he disagreed that ministers had “moved the goal posts” on the terms of the bid. He said: “As ward member for Wolds Weighton where this line once passed through, I’m very disappointed about the government’s decision.
“But there is still light at the end of the tunnel, we could go forward with a revised application in future rounds of funding.
“As with all projects funded by public money, the government has to prioritise those it thinks will succeed this time around.
“The rail minister said in his letter on the decision our bid did fit with the principle of their funding scheme.
“I hope we can better meet criteria next time.”
The St Marys ward member said: “It feels like the door has closed on this, councillors across the East Riding were working to make it happen.
“It’s disappointing, especially when there’s so much talk of moving towards cleaner energy and environmentally friendly transport.
“But it seems ministers have made their priorities clear, it wants to sink money into HS2 instead and our area’s been forgotten.” the