Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has welcomed millions in funding as part of the next stage of exploring the potential behind reopening the Ivanhoe Line and urged the Department for Transport to push ahead with the local project.
The Ivanhoe Line, which joins Burton-upon-Trent to Leicester, passes through Dr Luke’s constituency in Desford and Thornton and has been supported by other Leicestershire MP’s whose communities the railway would also serve.
This is a point of success for local group CRIL (Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line) and Bosworth’s MP who have been calling for the reinstatement of this valuable local transport connection for a number of years.
Millions of pounds in funding from the Government means the project can take a further step forward as Network Rail assesses the feasibility of reopening the 1960s line.
Following news of additional funding, allocated as part of the £500 million Restore Your Railways Fund, Dr Luke kept the project on the Government’s agenda by raising its importance to the community in a question to the Transport Minister.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said: “I am delighted to see the Government has understood the importance and potential benefits of this local asset, by committing millions to allow Network Rail to progress their assessment of the project to the next round.
“While this is an ongoing process, with a long way to go yet, the possibility of reopening the Ivanhoe Line is gathering pace and I’m pleased to see further steps are being taken.
“I will continue to campaign for improved transport connections across our community.”
Huw Merriman, the Minister for Rail, said: “I thank the Member for Bosworth for all the work that he does with regard to the Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line and for the success in securing more funding for the project.
“Network Rail is undertaking development work to test different service and scope options and progress the business case.
“Decisions on this scheme, and others in the Restoring Your Railway programme, are expected in [2023].”
