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 news page will provide links to relevant stories.
May 2008
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 01/02/08 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 light20/1/08 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 Halifax Courier
Sustrans hope to reopen West Vale viaduct near Greetland as part of a foot and cycle path.
Light at the end of the tunnel... 13/12/07 Bath Chronicle
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