The first phase of the planned Ivanhoe Railway line will not extend to Leicester, a council meeting in Ashby was told on Monday night.

A representative of Network Rail said that the line is on course to re-open, but that it will run from Coalville to Derby, via Ashby.

Councillors were told at Monday's planning committee meeting in Ashby that new track would be needed at Leicester end of the line.

Completing the route from Burton to Leicester - the original plan - would push up costs.

It was then decided to continue with the scheme but get what Network Rail described as 'the biggest bang for our buck'.

Therefore, the plan is to open the line from Coalville up to Ashby, Moira and Castle Gresley.

It will then join the existing route through Burton and Willington before heading to Derby.

The route could be renamed the National Forest Line to reflect the area that large sections of the track will run through.

The plan is to get passenger trains running through Ashby again. Photo: Campaign to Re-open the Ivanhoe Line

Councillors were also shown plans for the proposed new station at Ashby.

Four options were presented to the meeting, all of them close to the site of the former station which is now occupied by offices.

Two would be close to the station building - including what was described as a 'Rolls Royce' option.

The other two overlook the Bath Grounds, but with complications due to the steep bank and the current position of the cricket pavilion.

Also, the options shown had some car parking space, but one, by the Bath Grounds, only had a drop off point.

Network Rail has been looking for sites for new stations across the route of the line and visited last month as part of a report which will be presented at the end of the year.

Robert Russell, Business Development Sponsor at Network Rail, told the meeting in Ashby: "We targeted the biggest conurbation, where we could get the biggest bang for our buck.

Early plans for a 'Rolls Royce' railway station off Tamworth Road in Ashby. Image: Network Rail

"Between October last year and January we did some work and came up with a new proposal.

"This now sees the line starting at Derby and turning around at Coalville.

"Ashby would still be potentially served and the rationale behind this is the cost of the track.

"Getting into Leicester from Coalville is difficult as the track doesn't currently exist.

"Where that used to be, is now the Leicestershire Police Headquarters.

Under the new proposals, trains would turn around at Coalville. Image: Instantstreetview.com

"But there is the potential for a phase two which could go from Coalville to Leicester South rather than Leicester Midland, perhaps around the King Power Stadium.

"The plan is to get the first phase built first, then that hopefully will drive the need for further investment."

The new scheme has been backed by the Department for Transport and Network Rail is continuing to plan for a Derby-Coalville route with a business case to be submitted in December.

Ashby was highlighted as a 'key area' for the line with its sizeable population and proximity to the National Forest.

Councillors were told that Network Rail believes a new station would bring visitors to the town and allow them to access local businesses.

But in terms of a new station, Mr Russell said that that stage is 'far away' and more consultations will be needed.

He added: "We like the idea of using the old station building, but it's privately owned."

Mr Russell said the 'Rolls Royce' option would involve developing land at The Maltings off Tamworth Road.

That would allow a car park for the two-platform station to be built with disabled access.

Councillors were told that the funding is not available yet, but that Network Rail is build the 'best case for it to happen'.

But Cllr Rita Manning said: "It's disappointing that the line would not go Leicester.

"If you ask a lot of people in Ashby, they would want to get to Leicester by train."