Matlock-Buxton reopening bid receives MPs’ support

A bid to reinstate the former Midland Railway route between Matlock and Buxton through the Peak District is awaiting a decision from the Government’s Reopening Your Railway ideas fund.

The bid has been sponsored by local MPs Robert Largan and Nigel Mills, with the backing of fellow Parliamentarians Lilian Greenwood and Jane Hunt.

The promoters hope to develop a Strategic Outline Business Case which will include revenue projections, capital and operating costs, and a “clear, evidenced demonstration that the reinstatement is supportable and investible”.

Twelve miles of railway would have to be reopened, with the 7½-mile Matlock branch and 11 miles of freight-only line upgraded. Peak Rail, which runs from Matlock to Rowsley, is also on the line of route.

The through route closed to passengers in March 1967. A new bridge across the A6 at Rowsley would be needed, and stations would be fully accessible. The reopening would also be ‘future proofed’ to full main line doubletrack standards from the outset.

Peaks and Dales Railway was set up by The Goodshelter Group in collaboration with the Manchester and East Midlands Rail Action Partnership. It believes that if a Transport and Works Act Order is granted in 2024-25, the route could be reopened by the end of the decade. Stations would be reopened at Rowsley, Bakewell, Millers Dale and Chapel-en-leFrith.

The promoters argue that reopening would take thousands of cars and lorries off the roads, in addition to linking the Peak District National Park with Manchester and the East Midlands. Freight from nearby quarries is also expected to be a potential traffic source.

The popular Monsal Trail which currently runs along part of the route would be retained, and volunteers are developing plans for its repositioning and expansion.

Peaks and Dales Railway Founding Director James Derbyshire said: “Reopening this fantastic, scenic railway offers the Government the opportunity to deliver a relatively rapid and yet major transport improvement for voters from Manchester to the

East Midlands, and at the same time possibly to create a replicable model for other Beeching reopening projects.”