30.06.20
Calls from England and Wales to restore Beeching lines
Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, has today (June 30) announced fifty bids have been received from across England and Wales to build or reopen lines and stations closed by British Rail chief Dr Richard Beeching from 1963, with the potential to level up regional economies and boost access to jobs and education.
Local authorities and MPs have bid for a share of the second round of the ‘Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund.’ Proposals will now be considered by an expert panel including Network Rail Chair Sir Peter Hendy, with announcements regarding the successful schemes expected by the end of the summer.
The Rail Minister announced that 50 proposals have been submitted from right across the country. These include proposals from MPs in the north east to reopen the line at Ferryhill, County Durham, and restore the Consett-Newcastle Connection, to proposals from the south west to transform the Newquay line, reopen Charfield station, and reinstate the Bodmin to Wadebridge railway.
Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Receiving so many bids once again underlines how passionate people are about reconnecting communities.
“Local MPs, councillors and community leaders are the greatest champions of their local lines, and I look forward to working with them to ensure the projects with the greatest potential have the support they need.
“Improving local transport links is vital as we level up access to opportunities across the country, reconnect communities and kickstart our recovery from Covid-19.”