30.08.13
Northern railway reinstatement push
Campaigners have urged the transport select committee to recommend the reinstatement of the railway between Harrogate and Leeds.
The Leeds Northern Railway Reinstatement Group has published its submission to the committee calling for political support to reopen the Harrogate-Ripon-Northallerton railway, which was closed in 1967, as well as an extension to Leeds.
Reinstatement would create a strategic freight route avoiding the ECML, provide shorter journey times across the North and future proof the railway for continued growth.
Dr Adrian Morgan, chair of the group, said: “Primarily reinstatement is to provide additional capacity but also can become a passenger reconnection for the growing communities of Ripon, Wetherby and Tadcaster providing travel opportunities, increasing social inclusion and connectivity, particularly northwards, for all age groups.
“Money saved by planned infrastructure enhancements at York and Leeds could part fund this reinstatement as well as access charges particularly from the heavier and slower MGR coal/biomass freight trains.
“Savings from fare refunds/compensation of delayed or cancelled passenger/freight trains when the ECML is closed in an emergency, north or south of York, needs including in the calculations.
“£25m annual funding has been introduced for station reopening. I would like to see the Chancellor, on recommendation from your Committee, approve £50m annually for reinstatement projects with a favourable BCR. This would reinstate 10-15 route miles annually.”
He called for old diesel rolling stock to be reinstated on the routes following planned Thameslink and electrification cascades.
“Most of these units, although at the bottom of the desirability pile, still have life in them. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to use these trains on reinstated local routes whilst we have them.”
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