Passengers may not be able to travel on the planned Ivanhoe Line for another four years, Ashby councillors have been told.

Plans to re-open the railway route had been scheduled for 2026 after campaigners highlighted the need for the line which had been intended to run between Burton and Leicester.

Last year, Network Rail announced that it could not be extended to Leicester - and would be between Coalville and Derby instead.

But all of the groundwork was done under the previous Conservative government, and the process was delayed by this month's General Election.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council leader, Cllr Chris Smith, has now written to the new Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh.

The letter reads: "Congratulations on being re-elected as a member of Parliament and appointed as Secretary of State for Transport.

"Ashby de la Zouch is a market town in North West Leicestershire. Residents have been campaigning for many years for the existing freight rail lines through the town to be upgraded for passenger traffic, the Ivanhoe Line project.

"The current plans include a station in Ashby, which will be very popular with the residents and well-used.

"I understand the current position is that the design of the new line and station is well advanced, but is awaiting further authorisation from a Government level.

"Local residents are very keen to hear that the plans for the Ivanhoe line will be going ahead. Positive statements about the future investment in our local rail infrastructure would boost the local economy and support the growth ambitions of the new Government."

Cllr Smith told Monday's meeting of the full council that talks had taken place with Network Rail.

He said: "In terms of Network Rail's planning, and assuming funding does come through, they are looking at possibly opening in 2028.

"That's the sort of timescale, we have had discussions about the future of the Ivanhoe Line.

"All the indications were that it was going to be approved to the next stage until the General Election was called.

"I would certainly hope that all the indications are that it will still be approved.

"It seems the sensible thing to do to write to the new Secretary of State to encourage them.

"But I'm not pretending it'll be in the forefront of her mind."