‘Bringing trains back to town will just add to pollution issue’

I WAS very concerned to read in the Post & Times that SMDC is applying for more money for a feasibility study to bring the railway from

Stoke to Leek.

I consider this a terrible waste of taxpayers’ money and, at the end of the day, is only going to be for the enjoyment of the railway enthusiasts.

It would cost hundreds of thousands to upgrade the track and bridges between here and Stoke and, let’s think about it, you’d have to get in your car or diesel bus to get to Barnfields, which is over a mile from Leek and not the prettiest of areas, unless you like looking at scrapyards and factories, to get on the diesel train, then you’d get off at Stoke and what are you going to do then?

It’s not likely to link up with your train to Manchester or London or be waiting to bring you back to Barnfields on your return.

There’s not much to see around Stoke station, so you’d either just come back again (and I don’t expect they’ll run more than twice a day!) or get on another diesel bus to Hanley.

I can’t believe the transport industry would use the train to transport goods for the same logistical reasons.

Only today on the national news they’re asking for buses to be electrified or to run on hydro.

This is not a time to be increasing dirty polluting vehicles.

Come on SMDC, our money could be spent much more wisely.

The money already spent and planned on spending to “bring the trains back to Leek” would be much better spent on tarmacking the track so it could be enjoyed by all; wheelchair users, walkers, cyclists, prams, children on skates and scooters etc.

With paid car parking, bike hire, a cafe etc you’d make money and help to save the planet!

I’d probably get more than a thousand votes in favour of that.

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