Ivanhoe Line passenger services ‘are much closer’

PLANS to reinstate passenger services between Leicester and Burton are “much closer” to becoming reality, according to campaigners.

The Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) said the scheme is one of nine to be approved by rail minister Wendy Morton for the next stage of the Restoring Your Railways (RYR) scheme.

The Ivanhoe Line was closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts.

CRIL spokesman Douglas McLay said: “We are delighted with this announcement, which brings the reopening of the Ivanhoe Line much closer.

“Passenger services on the line would provide real value for the relatively modest government investment needed.”

North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen said the announcement was “brilliant news”. He said: “It’s a major step on the journey.”

The Ivanhoe Line was included in the first phase of the RYR programme last year. It received government and local authority funding to prepare a strategic outline business case.

Ms Morton said: “The department’s assessment considered the strategic and economic case presented, deliverability of the scheme and infrastructure requirements, with a focus on the transport issue and strength of case for intervention.

“This scheme presents significant potential to improve connectivity for communities along the route of the Ivanhoe Line and I look forward to seeing it progress.”

Mr McLay said: “The reopening of this railway would give a real boost to the often forgotten populations of South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire.

“We look forward to working closely with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to deliver a railway service which meets the needs of local people.”

Two RYR schemes have already been approved. The Dartmoor Line between Okehampton and Exeter has been restored, while preparatory work to restore the Northumberland Line to passenger services between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ashington is under way.