Plan calls for 10 stations and an airport terminal
CAMPAIGN GROUP UNVEILS OF THE IVANHOE LINE
PLANS have been put forward for a rail terminal at East Midlands Airport and 10 new stations in Leicestershire.
The proposals, by campaign group Sustainable Transport Midlands (STM) are part of a wider scheme designed to give the East Midlands a rail network that puts it on a par with the south.
The plans, known as East Midlands Commuter Programme, are split into four stages.
The initial step would focus on developing the rail network in Derby and Nottingham, with the second step concentrating on Leicester.
STM has put forward plans for five stations, on existing lines, at Thurmaston, Aylestone Park, between Knighton and Wigston, and three new between Wigston and Market Harborough, at Welford Road, Kibworth and Great Bowden.
Thomas Haines, the programme’s project executive, said he was determined to see it through.
“The scheme has taken months to develop,” he said. “The East Midlands Commuter Programme is a concept I have had for many years, constantly coming up with new, fantastical versions of it.
“I cannot wait to help make this a reality, however long it takes.
“The East Midlands has long suffered from under-investment when it comes to public transport and this plan attempts to go at the very least a small way to rectifying that.”
In its third stage, the group hopes to reopen passenger operations on part of the Leicester-to-Burton railway line.
The Ivanhoe Line would have stations at Coalville, Ashby, Sinope, Stephenson Industrial Estate and Moira, as well as stops in Derbyshire.
It would host the first regular passenger service in the area since the Ivanhoe Line was closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching Cuts.
This stage of the scheme would capitalise on the groundwork done by the Campaign to Reopen the
Ivanhoe Line (CRIL). Its long-running campaign to get the line back up and running received backing from many politicians and was heard by the Department for Transport.
However, the scheme missed out on funding from the government last year.
SMT said it ultimately hopes to introduce two new lines.
The first would be a part-underground route between the Midland
Mainline and Castle Donington. This would pass through Kegworth and on to East Midlands Airport.
It has not yet revealed any details of the second.
Mr Haines said: “Of course there are several obstacles, such as the numerous other proposals by other rail personnel with more years of experience under their belts, and of course it would be easier and cheaper to deliver this if HS2 took its originally intended route via Toton.
“But I am prepared to work hard with these other rail personnel.”
STM chief executive Harry Burr said he believed the project would be achieved.
“I’m really pleased to be introducing this new campaign,” he said.
“We have hardly touched the northern parts of the region during our campaign operations, but that all changes with a major new programme we’re so happy to be leading.”
COMMUTER PROGRAMME – PLUS BACKING FOR REVAMP