The new East Midlands Mayor will oversee transport powers across the counties, so it was really interesting to attend the recent public meeting to hear about plans to reinstate the train line between Ambergate and Buxton, linking Matlock, Bakewell and the Peak District Park.
Their proposals include:
Upgrading 23 miles and reinstating 13 miles of railway to, once again, link Matlock to Buxton by rail, via Bakewell.
Re-connecting communities across the Peak District National Park left isolated by the disastrous and short-sighted Beeching Report.
Catalysing the economy across Derbyshire, delivering new jobs and growth.
Re-provisioning the fabulous Monsal Trail and connecting it to stations along the reinstated railway, ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy this spectacular attraction within the Peak District National Park.
Enabling more of the 13.25m annual visitors (source: PDNPA) to the Peak District National Park to travel by train, reducing environmental impact and boosting economic benefit.
Transporting more of the heavy stone traffic from the quarries of the Peaks & Dales, taking HGVs off the heavily-used but narrow and winding roads of the Peak District and relieving the pressure on the seriously congested Hope Valley line.
Would this new rail line change the way you travel across Derbyshire and onward to the North West? Please complete my survey by clicking below and tell me about the key issues affecting you and your family.