15 abandoned rail schemes win funding to be restored to former glory – New Civil Engineer

The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed the 15 successful bidders for investment under the second round of the Restoring your Railway Fund.

The rail projects will be awarded up to 50,000 each to progress plans to reinstate historic stations and restore passenger services closed during the 1960s Beeching cuts.

Five of the schemes are in the South West, three are in the North West, and projects in the East and West Midlands, North East and Yorkshire & Humberside also feature.

No schemes in the South East were successful in this round of bids, including a proposal to reopen Camberwell Station in South London. However two schemes in the South East were previously awarded funding in the first round of bids in July.

Funding is part of the broader 500M Restoring Your Railway initiative which aims to accelerate existing proposals for which business cases have already been put forward and develop ideas for restoring or opening new stations. The DfT has said that the aim of the funding to level up the country and improve connectivity for communities. It revealed the 51 bidders for the second round in September.

Among the winning bids is a scheme to reinstate passenger services from Bolton to Manchester through Radcliffe with a radial Metrolink, along with proposals for two new stations in the South West.

Other successful projects include restoring Ferryhill station in Sedgefield, returning services to Consett in the North East, bringing back a station close to the medieval Beeston Castle in Cheshire and reinstating services for communities around Ashfield on the Maid Marian Line.

East Midlands

West Midlands

North East

North West

South West

Yorkshire & Humberside

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that restoring a rail line or station has the potential to revitalise a community.

He added: It breathes new life into our high streets, drives investment in businesses and housing, and opens new opportunities for work and education.

By building back with a real focus on better connections and supporting left-behind communities, were delivering our promise to level up this country.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris added: From restoring historic stations at Ferryhill and Langport, to reinstating passenger services on the Maid Marian Line and transforming rail connections around Bolton, Bury and Consett, our investment will provide the vital links that people depend on.

Entries have been specifically judged on their ability to deliver real economic benefits and support left-behind communities, with investment targeted at regenerating local economies by:

A further 28 bids will receive further guidance to help develop and refine their ideas for assessment in future funding rounds.

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15 abandoned rail schemes win funding to be restored to former glory - New Civil Engineer