Railwatch

Published by Railfuture

Railwatch is the quarterly magazine of Railfuture, which is free to members.


Non-members can subscribe to Railwatch, receiving it by post.

Subscribe

Railwatch 076 - July 1998

North Midlands

by Malcolm Goodall

Sinfin branch Following the public hearing held in Derby on 23 February, the Rail Users' Consultative Committee for the Midlands has recommended that the existing taxi service from Derby to Sinfin should be retained for the rest of the Central Trains' franchise period. The Rail Regulator delayed his decision on the line's future until after Derby City Council elections.

Borrowash station Rail Property recently sold the old Borrowash station site, between Derby and Long Eaton, despite protests by RDS and local authorities who wish to reopen the station to relieve traffic problems on the A52.

Railtrack The branch responded to the publication of the Railtrack Network Management Statement, pointing out the need to eliminate bottlenecks such as the southern approach to Derby station, that will develop as the train operating companies increase their services. Railtrack has proposed building a flyover at Newark-on-Trent to take the Nottingham to Lincoln line over the East Coast main line.

Midland Main Line Committee members met manager Nick Brown in April, and were encouraged to hear of MML's plans to further increase traffic by operating new diesel multiple units from summer 1999. A new parkway station is planned near M1 junction 24. This is aimed primarily at attracting motorists off the M1 to London, but could also be useful for the East Midlands Airport nearby. A bus service has been introduced between Loughborough station, the town centre and the university, and another from Loughborough to the airport. Further bus links are planned.

Robin Hood Line Stage three opened from Mansfield Woodhouse to Worksop on 25 May, nearly 34 years after closure during the Beeching era. New stations serve former mining townships at Shirebrook, Langwith-Whaley Thorns, Creswell, and Whitwell, all in Bolsover District in Derbyshire. Seventeen trains operate Monday to Saturday in each direction from Nottingham to Worksop, with additional Saturday short workings to Mansfield Woodhouse. RDS will continue to press for later evening journeys, and Sunday services. At the official opening on 11 May, Transport Minister, Gavin Strang, announced £350,000 revenue support for the line this year. So far, the operating expenses of this very successful experimental service have been met by local authorities. Stage one to Newstead has now been operating for five years, but it remains to be seen if the Government will provide future finance to allow OPRAF to take over sponsorship.

Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.


[Issue 76 Index]

[Railwatch Home] [Prev Issue (75)] [Railwatch Issues] [RIS Progress Reports] [SRUBLUK Progress Reports] [Next Issue (77)] [Railfuture Home]


Rail users are encouraged to join Railfuture to help us campaign for a bigger and better railway - membership for individuals is just £20 per year

Railfuture is an independent, voluntary group representing rail users in Britain with 20,000 affiliated and individual members. It is not funded by train companies, political parties or trade unions, and all members have an equal say.

Railfuture campaigns for cheap and convenient rail services for everyone; better links for buses, bikes and pedestrians; policies to get more heavy lorries on to rail; new lines, stations and freight terminals. In short, a better rail service and a bigger rail system for both passengers and freight.

Railfuture is pro-rail but not anti-road or anti-air. However, we campaign for a switch from road and air to rail. We do not interfere in the running of the railway - we campaign for the quality and range of services provided, not how they are delivered. We are the only champion of all rail users.


Railfuture is the campaigning name of Railfuture Ltd.

A not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales No. 05011634.

Registered Office: Edinburgh House, 1-5 Bellevue Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7NP (for legal correspondence only).

All other correspondence to 14 Ghent Field Circle, Thurston, Suffolk IP31 3UP


© Copyright Railfuture Ltd 2024.

Railfuture is happy for extracts to be used by journalists, researchers and students. We would, however, appreciate a mention of Railfuture in any article, website or programme. Except with Railfuture's express written permission, no one should distribute or commercially exploit the content.


Privacy Statement

Click Privacy to read Railfuture's GDPR statement on how we treat your data.

08.03.2024

This site does not use its own cookies, although Google Analytics does. Hosted by TSO Host (cPanel) and maintained for Railfuture by Billing Specialists Ltd.