North West Leicestershire Conservatives have hit out at what they describe as 'the deafening silence' over the future of the Ivanhoe Line.

The passenger route's first phase - between Coalville and Derby via Ashby - had been set for the green light before the election.

But the project's funding was withdrawn after Labour won the General Election.

In the Chancellor's speech last year, the Ivanhoe Line was not mentioned.

Local Tories say the scheme was 'shovel-ready' after an outline business case was approved.

But Labour's scrapping of the Restoring Your Railways Programme meant plans were halted.

North West Leicestershire District Councillor, Andrew Woodman expressed his frustration: "Despite Labour scrambling for growth projects after choking the economy, they ignored the Ivanhoe Line. 

"This is despite years of hard work from campaigners like the Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line, and a business case that was ready to go. 

"Only a few months ago, I was pushing for station locations in Moira with Network Rail, but now the whole project is in limbo."

Leicestershire County Councillor Craig Smith echoed these concerns and said: "I note our MP is conducting a transport survey, but the work has already been done. 

Freight trains have been running on the line since the passenger service stopped in the 1960s. Photo: CRIL

"I met with Midland Connect last year, the business case is there, and it's shovel ready. Yet this government finds billions for speculative energy projects but not for our much-needed railway connectivity?"

At a recent County Council meeting, Cllr Smith called the funding cut 'a direct attack on connectivity, opportunity, and progress for North West Leicestershire'.

He warned that Labour's decision has "at best set the project back by years, but more than likely buried it forever."

Cllr Smith points out that this was not a 'vague idea or an empty promise', adding it had genuine cross-party support, local backing, and a clear path forward. 

A statement from North West Leicestershire Conservatives added: "Campaigners, councillors, and residents had worked tirelessly to bring the Ivanhoe Line to fruition. 

"It would have connected communities, boosted the local economy, and provided much-needed transport links for North West Leicestershire.

"Instead, Labour has pulled the rug out from under our feet. Their reckless decision-making is not just delaying progress, it's actively holding back our communities.

"Labour claims to be the party of economic growth, but their actions tell a very different story. They hike taxes, kill investment, and now they've derailed one of the most important infrastructure projects in our area. The people of North West Leicestershire deserve better."