Moves to bring passenger rail services back to Ashby are still on track say campaigners
By Graham Hill 17th Apr 2022
Campaigners aiming to bring passenger trains back to Ashby, say are hoping for positive news 'shortly'.
The Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) has reacted to suggestions that its bid has been unsuccessful.
A social media post by the group says the possibility of reviving the line between Burton and Leicester - with stations at Ashby and Moria - still alive.
A message from CRIL representative Douglas McLay says that the bid is still on track.
He writes: "Here is an update on the Campaign.
"I was disappointed to read a statement that the Campaign is dead because it missed out on vital funding last year.
"Both of these statements are completely untrue!!
"A Strategic Outline Business Case was submitted to the Department for Transport last June as part of the Government's Restoring Your Railways Programme.
"This case demonstrated the need for improved transport links in the Burton to Leicester corridor and showed how a re-opened rail service would make a significant contribution to the Government's Levelling Up Programme.
"The case was very positively received by the Department and Network Rail.
"Senior representatives of both organisations visited the line recently.
"I met them and showed them the area, and how it would benefit from restored rail links.
"We understand that their recommendations are now with Ministers.
"The Restoring Your Railways Programme is a structured process.
"We were one of only a few who submitted proposals in the first stage to be selected to proceed, and we received £75k funding to prepare the Strategic Outline Business case.
"No results of this stage for any proposals have yet been announced, and our campaign remains a leading contender for further funding.
"Our Campaign continues to be supported by local politicians of all parties, and I understand that Andrew Bridgen has recently submitted a written question in Parliament about when we will hear the outcome of our submission.
"As you can see the Campaign is very much alive, and we are pushing for some positive news shortly."
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