Reversing Beeching

Several of the reopening schemes being considered under Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps’ ‘Reversing Beeching’ project could happen very soon, according to Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines.

More than 50 submissions for funding had been received. Haines told the RIA conference:

“Okehampton: we are saying it can have regular scheduled services on that line within the next calendar year.

“Ashington-Blyth: we think we have knocked three or four years off the timescales being talked about here, which means it could be delivered before the next election.”

Of the plan to reopen

Hampshire’s Fawley freight branch to passenger traffic, NR Chairman Sir Peter Hendy said: “I’ve told the route manager for the South West that he’d better find a way to get on with it at a reasonable price, because it is pretty clear that a lot of people want it.

“My view is there is enormous enthusiasm within Government to pursue these. It was part of Boris’s manifesto at the election and I don’t think any local ambitions will be given up without a huge fight.”