News stories

Against the odds, the UK's network of disused railway lines continues to make the news as the 21st Century throws up a host of transport, environmental and health challenges.

This page provides links to relevant stories from 2008.
Other stories
December 2008
Council urged to buy disused railway 31/12/08 Lancashire Telegraph
A group of Pendle councillors is urging county council bosses to buy the disused trackbed between Colne and New Hague "before it is too late".
Rail campaign still on track 28/12/08 Fenland Citizen
Supporters of the bid to re-open the line from March to Wisbech as a community heritage railway are planning a major fundraising campaign for 2009 to raise the final £10,000 needed to ensure they have sufficient funds to gain the lease and legal powers.
Sleepers removed for bus route 19/12/08 The News (Portsmouth)
Stations for sale! 19/12/08 Daily Mail
Alloa to Rosyth link considered 18/12/08 BBC News
Tentative approval for Southwold line 18/12/08 Advertiser 24 (Norwich)
Transport plan to get Fife moving 17/12/08 Fife Today
A multi-billion pound Scottish transport scheme should see the Levenmouth railway reopened.
New manager for park project 16/12/08 Northern Echo
Plans to create a 12-mile long park along the banks of the River Wear - which will cross Belmont Viaduct - have moved forward with the appointment of a project manager.
Crab & Winkle path wins £4,700 grant 10/12/08 This is Kent
New Bristol cycleway may be put on hold 10/12/08 This is Bristol
More controversy over Bath bus scheme 08/12/08 This is Bath
Councillor wants disused line used for foot/cycle route instead of Bus Rapid Transit scheme.
Wrangle over inflated guided bus costs 08/12/08 Hunts Post
The train with no rails 08/12/08 Yorkshire Post
Christmas shoppers have made an epic 100-mile journey by train from Skipton to Colne - two towns separated by an 11½-mile missing rail link.
Pigs bring home bacon for Two Tunnels 05/12/08 Bike Radar
The Two Tunnels Greenway in Bath is nearing its fundraising target thanks to 101 painted pigs.
November 2008
Hopes of a return ticket for trains 26/11/08 North Devon Gazette
Enthusiasts who want to see trains running again through the Torridge Valley have laid two track panels at Torrington Station.
Tourist attraction bid for old line 25/11/08 Scarborough Evening News
The old Scarborough-Whitby line could become a tourist attraction if sufficient funding is found.
Campaign to reopen the Halton curve 21/11/08 Chester Chronicle
Line's future in government's hands 21/11/08 Bucks Free Press

The fate of the disused line between High Wycombe and Bourne End rests is in the government's hands following a three day planning inquiry to decide if 29 homes can be built on the trackbed.
Thornton reopens as traffic-free route 21/11/08 Forgotten Relics
Traffic-free route opens 20/11/08 Bike Radar
A new traffic-free section of the National Cycle Network has opened through the Clydach Gorge.
Railway reopening in homes battle 19/11/08 Bucks Free Press
The possibility of reopening the Bourne End-High Wycombe line has been argued during a public enquiry into a controversial planning application.
Blackfriars upgrade gets underway 17/11/08 Transport Briefing
Work to widen Blackfriars bridge has begun as part of the Thameslink scheme, involving the use of redundant piers which formerly supported an adjacent railway structure.
Clear-up on track for high speed bus 17/11/08 The News (Portsmouth)
Smedley Viaduct cleared for Metrolink 11/11/08 GMTPE
Weardale restoration on track 11/11/08 The Journal (North East)
Viaduct to reopen as part of rail trail 10/11/08 Yorkshire Post
Students research future use of old line 10/11/08 Scarborough Evening News
Architecture students are studying the old Scarborough-Whitby line, looking at ways of improving it and increasing levels of public use and enjoyment.
Path will create anti-social behaviour 07/11/08 Evening Courier (Halifax)
Amber signal for box revamp 06/11/08 The Journal (North East)
Viaduct backdrop to stunning gardens 05/11/08 Daily Mail
Funding for tunnel path secured 05/11/08 Bath Chronicle
Work should begin early next year on a new path through two old tunnels to the south of Bath.
Boost for cycling in Kenilworth 04/11/08 Bike Radar
Planning row over old signal box 03/11/08 The Journal (North East)
Controversial cyclepath up for debate 03/11/08 Evening Courier (Halifax)
A meeting is being held to discuss a proposed cycleway over a disused railway viaduct.
Model pig auction raises £200,000 02/11/08 BBC News
Seventy pig scultures have been auctioned to raise cash for Bath's Two Tunnels Greenway.
October 2008
Move to restore historic rail link 29/10/08 Eastern Daily Press
The reinstatement of the Kings Lynn-Hunstanton line is to be discussed by West Norfolk Council.
New route for A56 villages bypass? 24/10/08 Pendle Today
A new route is being sought for the A56 Villages Bypass in case the Colne-Skipton line reopens.
Petition to link York and Whitby 24/10/08 Whitby Gazette
Historic railways to feature on TV 24/10/08 Norwich Evening News
Finger torn off on tunnel's fencing 24/10/08
Bourne Local
A man underwent nine hours of surgery after losing a finger as he climbed into Toft Tunnel.
New line shunts cycle path aside 23/10/08 Evening News (Edinburgh)
Vandals plaguing old railway line 23/10/08 Northern Echo
Plans for new Bristol bus route 14/10/08 This is Bristol
On track to opening railway line 14/10/08 BBC News
The extension to the Welsh Highland Railway looks set to open as planned next Easter.
Landmark bridge set for demolition 10/10/08 Leicester Mercury
Leicester City Council has won its battle to demolish a bowstring bridge in the city's West End.
First move in dream of reopening railway 08/10/08 Malton Mercury
Enthusiasts are meeting to persue their dream of reopening a line across the Yorkshire Wolds.
BBC4's Beeching night pulled in viewers 03/10/08 Media Guardian
Make way for the Metrolink 03/10/08 Manchester Evening News
Diggers have moved in to clear a former line through Chorlton, to make way for trams.
Town railway link on track 01/10/08 Bordon Post
Top transport experts agree that Whitehill and Bordon should have its old railway reinstated.
Ribble Valley station to be transformed 01/10/08 Lancashire Telegraph
September 2008
Diggers could unearth railway history 30/9/08 This is Derbyshire
Archaeologists hope to unearth the remains of Sheep Pasture Incline's old engine house.
Man with a one track mind 26/9/08 The Herald (Glasgow)
An academic's view of Beeching's Scottish legacy.
Strathspey Railway on track for Grantown 24/9/08 Press & Journal
East-West rail link secures £2m 23/9/08 Transport Briefing
Promoters of a reinstated Oxford-Cambridge line have secured £2m for development work.
Bid to reopen old rail line 19/9/08 BBC News
A plan to reopen the old 15-mile line between Plymouth and Tavistock has taken a step forward.
Rail group on track for Lotto boost 15/9/08 Scarborough Evening News
Locals are being asked for their views on renovations to the Scarborough-Whitby railway path.
'Two Tunnels' scheme progress 13/9/08 Bath Chronicle
Work a bridge too far - Councillor 11/9/08 W'ham & Attleboro' Mercury
Plans to spend nearly £200,000 on safety improvements to an old bridge have been criticised.
High Wycombe-Maidenhead rail link call 08/9/08 Bucks Free Press
Portishead rail link a step closer? 05/9/08 Weston & Somerset Mercury
Tram inquiry over wildlife fears 05/9/08 This is Nottingham
A local council has objected to the compulsory purchase of an embankment for a tram extension.
Alloa reopening success prompts study 01/9/08 Transport Briefing
Services on the new Alloa line have proved so popular that an extension is being examined.
August 2008
Steam railway is on track for spring 30/8/08 Daily Post (North Wales)
The Welsh Highland Railway is on-track to fully reopen by next Easter.
Anger over plans for homes on old line 29/8/08 This is Lancashire
Locals have vowed to fight plans to build a large housing estate on the old Bolton-Bury trackbed.
Vandals hit historic bridge 28/8/08 News & Star (Carlisle)
Pensioners bring new life to old station 27/8/08 Lancashire Evening Post
Preston unveils vision of tram system 22/8/08 Lancashire Evening Post
Disused railways to hit small screen 19/8/08 Broadcast Now
The BBC will screen several shows this autumn, looking at Beeching's legacy and railway walks.
Workers left ill by tunnel fumes 12/8/08 BBC News
Workers maintaining Harecastle Tunnel became ill after breathing in fumes.
Getting up a head of steam 12/8/08 The Gazette (Blackpool)
Music mogul Pete Waterman backs restoration of the Fleetwood-Thornton line.
Bike path plan for disused Flintshire line 12/8/08 Daily Post (North Wales)
Viaduct vistas to be enjoyed soon 11/8/08 Yorkshire Post
Phase 3 of the Great Northern Trail will soon reveal spectacular views from Thornton Viaduct.
Engineers find mystery bridge under road 09/8/08 This is Lancashire
On the right tracks 07/8/08 East Lothian Courier
Plans to reopen East Linton’s mothballed railway station has made positive tracks.
Council supports embankment removal 07/8/08 Ledbury Reporter
Timetable set for Borders railway 06/8/08 BBC News
High hopes for new off-road cycle trail 04/8/08 South Devon
Longbridge rail line hopes dashed 04/8/08 Birmingham Post
July 2008
Llangollen rail link a step closer 31/7/08 Your Vale
Plans to extend the Llangollen Railway into Corwen move ahead with a public meeting in the town.
Back to rail on the trail? 23/7/08 North Devon Gazette
Trains could return to the Torridge Valley if a rail group's plans come to fruition.
Work on new freight link gets underway 23/7/08 Bootle Times
Steamy summer on the line 18/7/08 BBC News
Enthusiasts have laid track on the old Belfast & County Down Railway, closed nearly 60 years ago.
Barnham signal box to be demolished 16/7/08 Shoreham Herald
Track on line to reopen 16/7/08 Deeside Piper
A disused railway linking Banchory and Crathes is to be reopened to rail enthusiasts.
Cycle route planned for Cotswolds 13/7/08 Wilts & Gloucs Standard
Fears over safety of guided busway 11/7/08 Cambridge News
Bowes Railway placed on 'at risk' list 8/7/08 Sunderland Echo
First step for new travel network 4/7/08 BBC News
The first of Sustrans' Connect2 schemes has been opened to pedestrians and cyclists in Dumfries.
Villagers on track to create focal point 01/7/08 Press & Journal (Aberdeen)
Residents of St Cyrus have been working to transform an old cutting into a community garden.
Footplate men reunited with locomotive 01/7/08 Yorkshire Post
Three footplate men will be reunited with the Mallard to celebrate the loco's record speed run.
June 2008
Railway line back on track? 29/6/08 Weston Mercury
Study finds Portishead to Bristol rail link would be "feasible".
Girl who blasted viaduct into history 27/6/08 Evng Gazette (Middlesbrough)
New cycle path opens 24/6/08 Redditch Standard
Facelift for former railway line 22/6/08 Chard & Ilminster News
Brighton to get green walkway 19/6/08 The Argus (Brighton)
Gold for Harrow in probation project 19/6/08 Harrow Times
Dozens of people serving time in the community have cleared up a disused railway line.
Trams on-track for Chorlton by 2011 19/6/08 South Manchester Reporter
Homes plan gets second appeal 18/6/08 Bucks Free Press

Councillors are preparing to fight plans to build homes on a disused railway line in Wooburn Green.
Cranes move in to demolish old bridge 17/6/08 News & Star (Carlisle)
Docker's umbrella rides again 17/6/08 Liverpool Echo
Pier Head Station will be recreated in the Museum of Liverpool, opening in 2010.
Uni under fire over bridge demolition 17/6/08 Cambridge News
Great Central Railway to extend 14/6/08 Loughborough News
Campaign goes full steam ahead 12/6/08 Yorkshire Post
A progress report on the proposed reopening of the Skipton-Colne line.
Demolition warning over Bath bus plan 12/6/08 This is Bath
Leigh's busway one step closer 11/6/08 Wigan Today
Getting Bristol's trains on the right track 10/6/08 This is Bristol
Campaigners have urged councillors to "reunite the city" by reopening Ashton Gate station.
Crackpot plan won't see the light of day 10/6/08 The News (Portsmouth)
A rapid bus link over Gosport's old railway line has come in for criticism.
Artist blacksmith revives old rail 04/6/08 Dereham Times
Old bridge moved for King's Cross revival 03/6/08 Building
Risking death for a spot on YouTube 03/6/08 Northern Echo
May 2008
Proposed bus route could affect cycleway 28/5/08 This is Bristol
New home for North Wootton signal box 27/5/08 Lynn News
Burscough revival not DfT responsibility 24/5/08 Southport Visiter
Fire sweeps old Carlisle railway sheds 24/5/08 News & Star
Stirling-Alloa line reopens to passengers 19/5/08 Transport Briefing
Preston's cyclists to ride old rail line 19/5/08 Longridge News
Ramblers make progress over right-of-way 12/5/08 Darlington & Stockton Times
A decision not to make the old Boosbeck-Slapewath line into a right-of-way has been overturned.
Charter train trips prove a sell-out 12/5/08 Journal Live (Newcastle)
Ashington's first passenger train in 40 years will run on 7th June to promote the line's reopening.
Giant crane arrives for revived rail link 07/5/08 Liverpool Daily Post
Plan for new artists' studio move closer 03/5/08 Scarborough Evening News
A feasibility study looks at turning Scarborough station's former parcels office into an art studio.
Next stop Chorlton 01/5/08 South Manchester Reporter
Work could start soon on a new spur for Manchester's Metrolink along a disused trackbed.
April 2008
Restoration projects vie for rural awards 29/4/08 Darlington & Stockton Times
Masham station yard and Richmond station have been shortlisted for restoration prizes.
Check out my life-sized train set 29/4/08 Metro
A railway fanatic hopes to open a museum at the disused station he's just bought for £300,000.
Revised plans for Tintern railway path 23/4/08 Bike Radar
Man sent text before jumping off viaduct 22/4/08 The Star (South Yorkshire)
Man dies in fall from viaduct 18/4/08 The Star (South Yorkshire)
Two former stations to hold open weekend 17/4/08 Hereford Times
'Bridge bombers' endangering lives 17/4/08 Wigan Evening Post
Gangs of teenagers are putting lives at risk by throwing missiles from a disused railway bridge.
Botanic nightclub plans scrapped 17/4/08 BBC News
Glasgow City Council has blocked plans to reopen a disused subterranean station as a nightclub.
Sea level rises mean rail rethink 12/4/08 BBC News
An old route into Plymouth may be revived if the Dawlish line keeps being swamped by the sea.
MCC cannot be accused of tunnel vision 10/4/08 The Times
Disused rail line to become cycle track 07/4/08 Evening News (Edinburgh)
Sustrans intends to transform the old line from Millerhill to Loanhead into a cycle route.
March 2008
Bristol-Bath railway path saved 30/3/08 Bike Radar
Protest over nightclub in disused tunnel 28/3/08 Evening Times (Glasgow)
Tunnels could become Lords' cricket nets 28/3/08 Marylebone Express
Cycle path abandoned over viaduct 15/3/08 Evening Courier (Halifax)
Work to lay a cycle path over West Vale viaduct has ended following protests from locals.
Campaign to relay Todmorden curve 13/3/08 The Citizen (Burnley)
Commons debate for York-Beverley line 12/3/08 The Press (York)
Conference centre idea for arena site 11/3/08 Evening Gazette (Newcastle)
A covered, moving walkway over an old viaduct could soon link an arena with Newcastle station.
Tram dream may be back on track 11/3/08 Express & Star (West Mids)
Trams could run along a disused Black Country freight line as part of a £388million project.
New section of Ecclesbourne railway opens 10/3/08 Transport Briefing
Waverley costs now £295m as delays grow 06/3/08 The Herald (Scotland)
Bid to convert goods shed may hit buffers 04/3/08 Suffolk & Essex Online
Rail bosses bid to buy disused tracks 04/3/08 Evening News (Edinburgh)
Two stretches of disused line could be secured for use as part of Edinburgh's rail network.
Boost for Leamside campaign 02/3/08 Sunderland Echo
February 2008
Museum plan for steam train attraction 27/2/08 Leicester Mercury
Starry last night for tiny cinema 24/2/08 BBC News
The curtain has come down on an old railway wagon converted into a tiny cinema.
Brunel pump house faces demolition 23/2/08 This is Cornwall
Boost in train station battle 22/2/08 Birmingham Mail
Campaigners hoping to have Alrewas station reopened have received backing from landowners.
Burscough Curves may be brought back... 22/2/08 Liverpool Daily Post
Hopes have been raised that two of Liverpool's commuter hubs could be linked via a disused line.
Brothers to open bar in old ticket office 22/2/08 Evening Courier (Halifax)
Disused track one mile from airport 19/2/08 BBC News
The biggest airline operating out of Belfast Airport want a disused railway line back in action.
Kimpton Road could be developed for... 13/2/08 Bedford Today
Plans to develop part of Luton and Dunstable's guided busway could soon get the green light.
Full steam ahead for new bridge 08/2/08 Daily Post (North Wales)
Housing demand boosts rail hope 08/2/08 BBC News
The need for more housing in Tavistock could justify reopening a line which closed 40 years ago.
Embsay's new piece of history 06/2/08 Telegraph & Argus (Bradford)
Scheme to restore heritage railway line 04/2/08 Daily Post (North Wales)
Man seen climbing bridge before... 02/2/08 The Bolton News
Police were forced to close a road after a man jumped from Darcy Lever viaduct.
Now coal drops may become homes 01/2/08 Evening Courier (Halifax)
January 2008
Gas workers dig up old tunnel 28/1/08 Daily Echo (Dorset)
Call to save historic signal box 25/1/08 BBC News
Burscough Curve on right track 23/1/08 Ormskirk Advertiser
Plan for reopening of old rail link 21/1/08 The Journal
Transport bosses hope to reopen the Leamside line to create a new Tyne-Tees rail link.
Port rail link given green light 20/1/08 BBC News
A multi-million pound freight link between the Port of Liverpool and the WCML gets a green light.
Cycle route needs more cash 10/1/08 Bath Chronicle
Railway route study gets go-ahead 03/1/08 BBC News
December 2007
Anyone fancy a bike ride up here? 18/12/07 Evening Courier (Halifax)
Sustrans hope to reopen West Vale viaduct near Greetland as part of a foot and cycle path.

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