Commons leader’s visit to Locomotion showcases ‘fantastic’ rail heritage
THE Leader of the House of Commons, Mark Spencer, visited the Locomotion museum in Shildon to see first-hand how Government investment is boosting railway heritage.
Mr Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, made the visit during a trip to the North East on August 25 to view the potential new site for a station at Ferryhill, one of the Restoring Your Railway schemes receiving a share of the Government’s £500 million to reopen closed lines. Joined by Rail Minister Wendy Morton MP at Ferryhill, the pair met residents and commuters who would benefit from the reopening of the station, which would boost links to Teesside. It is also the first step in proposal for the Leamside Line reopening, restoring the lost connection to Newcastle and Sunderland. Ferryhill last saw trains in 1969.
Locomotion was recently awarded £5.9 million of Levelling Up funding via Durham City Council to allow the site to open New Hall, which will house up to 50 more vehicles and will make the museum home to the largest undercover collection of heritage rail vehicles in the world, increasing visitor numbers by 50,000 people each year.
Mr Spencer said: “It has been fantastic to see first-hand how Government investment is making a real difference in the North East.
“Both the successful bid by Durham City Council for Levelling Up funding and the tireless lobbying by the Ferryhill community, including Coun Joe Quinn, are true examples of democracy in action – where the community asked and the Government answered. I look forward to seeing the projects once they are complete.”