A long-running campaign to reinstate a railway line for thousands of Leicestershire residents could face fresh challenges with the imminent arrival of a new Prime Minister.

Plans to restore passenger services on the Ivanhoe Line, which would reconnect Burton-on-Trent with Leicester via stops at Coalville and Ashby, stalled after Chancellor Rachel Reeves cancelled funding for it and other railway projects in 2024.

Ever since, MPs and campaigners have continued pressing ministers to revive the scheme, but campaigners fear a greater emphasis on devolved decision-making could make it harder for the cross-county project to secure backing.

Douglas McLay, a board member of the Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL), said the railway's geography has long worked against it.

He said: "The Ivanhoe Line has failed to get funding on multiple occasions since it was closed in the 1960s. Each time it's fallen down because the local authority voices weren't strong enough.

"The line passes through four counties, so we're not at the top of the list of any one authority."

Mr McLay said that while Andy Burnham – who is set to become the next PM – has built a reputation for backing public transport investment during his time as Manchester mayor, his promise for devolved funding could make it harder for schemes that span several local authority areas to compete for investment.

However, he stressed it was "not all bad news".

"Andy Burnham understands the link between good transport and particularly the value of rail in driving growth," said Mr McLay.

North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack, who recently raised the project in Westminster, argued that devolution had been great for transport in Manchester.

She said: "We would be foolish to say that the impact devolution has had in Manchester hasn't made the city a much more connected place."

Ms Hack said reopening the Ivanhoe Line would transform everyday life for residents, many of whom currently have to drive simply to access the rail network.

She said the line would make it easier for residents to travel for work, education and leisure, "opening up opportunities" for young people who currently face barriers getting to college.

The MP added that better rail links would also make it easier for supporters to travel to Leicester City matches and visit attractions such as Conkers, while also helping the local economy grow.

She said: "When businesses look to locate a community, they look at things like transport links. This would be absolutely transformational."

Despite years of setbacks, Ms Hack insisted she had no intention of letting the campaign lose momentum.

She said: "I'm not going to stop because someone says I can't. I'll carry on being a real nuisance."