Founder of Ivanhoe Line campaign dies

The Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) has pledged to continue its fight to restore passenger services to the freightonly route from Leicester to Burton-upon-Trent, following the death of founding chairman Geoff Bushell.

Bushell, who died on November 7, was described as “an instantly likeable character” and widely praised for using his “gentle powers of persuasion” to build momentum for CRIL.

A spokesman said: “We will honour Geoff by continuing his work and are expectant to see ongoing success based on the foundations he has laid.”

The campaign group was one of ten successful bidders for development funding under the first round of the Government’s Restoring your Railway ‘Ideas Fund’ in May.

The 31-mile route passes through the East Midlands towns of Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Swadlincote ( RAIL 878). It last carried passengers in 1964.