The Government has announced funding will be given to reinstate some of the UK’s rail stations and restore lines under the Restoring Your Railway programme.
The Autumn Budget has confirmed 13 projects have been awarded up to £50,000 as part of the programme.
It is believed this investment will get further development started on additional projects which could potentially level up local economies.
Some of the projects awarded funding include:
- Restoring the Don Valley Line between Sheffield and Stocksbridge in Yorkshire to frequent passenger services.
- Reconnecting the town of Leek to the rail network with the Stoke-Leek line.
- Restarting the connection between Stockport and Ashton in the North West.
- Rebuilding the line between Tavistock and Bere Alston in Devon which would connect Tavistock and Plymouth by rail.
The Restoring Your Railway ‘Ideas Fund’ will also fund two further projects for further work after they were given grants from round one of the funding.
The Waterside line from Southampton to Fawley via Hythe will receive further funding for development work.
Following success in round one of the ‘Ideas Fund’ the Waterside Line will receive a further £7m of investment.
Wellington station in Somerset and Cullompton station in Devon will also be granted further funds for development.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps pointed out how these projects will reverse the damage of the Beeching cuts of the 1960’s which closed some stations and thousands of miles of track.
Mr Shapps said: “Our efforts to undo the damage of the Beeching closures are gathering pace, with work on new stations and lines that can level up communities right across the UK.
“I share the enthusiasm and ambition of local campaigners across the country pushing for their local lines to be reopened.
“This additional funding will help progress many more schemes.
“With the Dartmoor Line opening in the coming days, we’re already laying tracks across the country.
“Connecting communities for the first time in decades.”
These projects will receive some of the third-round funding from the Restoring Your Railway ‘Ideas Fund’.
Further funding will be given to projects showing strong promise with a focus on accelerating development to ensure communities reap the benefits as soon as possible.
Bidders have been judged specifically on their ability to support left-behind communities and deliver real economic benefits.
Investment is aimed at schemes that have the potential to regenerate local economies by opening access to jobs and education, supporting housing developments and boosting tourism.
