News stories |
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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.
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Last updated |
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3rd June 2012 |
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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".
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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.
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19/12/08
The News (Portsmouth)
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19/12/08
Daily Mail
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18/12/08
BBC News
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Tentative approval for Southwold line
18/12/08
Advertiser 24 (Norwich)
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17/12/08
Fife Today
A multi-billion pound Scottish transport scheme should see the Levenmouth railway reopened.
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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.
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10/12/08
This is Kent
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10/12/08
This is Bristol
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8/12/08
This is Bath
Councillor wants disused line used for foot/cycle route instead of Bus Rapid Transit scheme.
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Wrangle over inflated guided bus costs
8/12/08
Hunts Post
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8/12/08
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.
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5/12/08
Bike Radar
The Two Tunnels Greenway in Bath is nearing its fundraising target thanks to 101 painted pigs.
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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.
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25/11/08
Scarborough Evening News
The old Scarborough-Whitby line could become a tourist attraction if sufficient funding is found.
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21/11/08
Chester Chronicle
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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.
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Thornton reopens as traffic-free route
21/11/08
Forgotten Relics
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20/11/08
Bike Radar
A new traffic-free section of the National Cycle Network has opened through the Clydach Gorge.
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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.
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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.
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17/11/08
The News (Portsmouth)
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Smedley Viaduct cleared for Metrolink
11/11/08
GMTPE
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11/11/08
The Journal (North East)
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10/11/08
Yorkshire Post
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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.
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7/11/08
Evening Courier (Halifax)
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6/11/08
The Journal (North East)
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5/11/08
Daily Mail
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5/11/08
Bath Chronicle
Work should begin early next year on a new path through two old tunnels to the south of Bath.
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4/11/08
Bike Radar
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3/11/08
The Journal (North East)
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3/11/08
Evening Courier (Halifax)
A meeting is being held to discuss a proposed cycleway over a disused railway viaduct.
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2/11/08
BBC News
Seventy pig scultures have been auctioned to raise cash for Bath's Two Tunnels Greenway.
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29/10/08
Eastern Daily Press
The reinstatement of the Kings Lynn-Hunstanton line is to be discussed by West Norfolk Council.
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24/10/08
Pendle Today
A new route is being sought for the A56 Villages Bypass in case the Colne-Skipton line reopens.
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24/10/08
Whitby Gazette
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Historic railways to feature on TV
24/10/08
Norwich Evening News
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24/10/08
Bourne Local
A man underwent nine hours of surgery after losing a finger as he climbed into Toft Tunnel.
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New line shunts cycle path aside
23/10/08
Evening News (Edinburgh)
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23/10/08
Northern Echo
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14/10/08
This is Bristol
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14/10/08
BBC News
The extension to the Welsh Highland Railway looks set to open as planned next Easter.
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10/10/08
Leicester Mercury
Leicester City Council has won its battle to demolish a bowstring bridge in the city's West End.
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8/10/08
Malton Mercury
Enthusiasts are meeting to persue their dream of reopening a line across the Yorkshire Wolds.
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3/10/08
Media Guardian
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3/10/08
Manchester Evening News
Diggers have moved in to clear a former line through Chorlton, to make way for trams.
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1/10/08
Bordon Post
Top transport experts agree that Whitehill and Bordon should have its old railway reinstated.
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1/10/08
Lancashire Telegraph
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30/9/08
This is Derbyshire
Archaeologists hope to unearth the remains of Sheep Pasture Incline's old engine house.
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Man with a one track mind
26/9/08
The Herald (Glasgow)
An academic's view of Beeching's Scottish legacy.
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24/9/08
Press & Journal
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East-West rail link secures £2m
23/9/08
Transport Briefing
Promoters of a reinstated Oxford-Cambridge line have secured £2m for development work.
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19/9/08
BBC News
A plan to reopen the old 15-mile line between Plymouth and Tavistock has taken a step forward.
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15/9/08
Scarborough Evening News
Locals are being asked for their views on renovations to the Scarborough-Whitby railway path.
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'Two Tunnels' scheme progress
13/9/08
Bath Chronicle
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Work a bridge too far - Councillor
11/9/08
South Wales Argus
Plans to spend nearly £200,000 on safety improvements to an old bridge have been criticised.
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8/9/08
Bucks Free Press
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Portishead rail link a step closer?
5/9/08
Weston & Somerset Mercury
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5/9/08
This is Nottingham
A local council has objected to the compulsory purchase of an embankment for a tram extension.
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Alloa reopening success prompts study
1/9/08
Transport Briefing
Services on the new Alloa line have proved so popular that an extension is being examined.
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30/8/08
Daily Post (North Wales)
The Welsh Highland Railway is on-track to fully reopen by next Easter.
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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.
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Vandals hit historic bridge
28/8/08
News & Star (Carlisle)
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27/8/08
Lancashire Evening Post
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22/8/08
Lancashire Evening Post
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19/8/08
Broadcast Now
The BBC will screen several shows this autumn, looking at Beeching's legacy and railway walks.
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12/8/08
BBC News
Workers maintaining Harecastle Tunnel became ill after breathing in fumes.
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12/8/08
The Gazette (Blackpool)
Music mogul Pete Waterman backs restoration of the Fleetwood-Thornton line.
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12/8/08
Daily Post (North Wales)
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11/8/08
Yorkshire Post
Phase 3 of the Great Northern Trail will soon reveal spectacular views from Thornton Viaduct.
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Engineers find mystery bridge under road
9/8/08
This is Lancashire
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7/8/08
East Lothian Courier
Plans to reopen East Linton's mothballed railway station has made positive tracks.
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7/8/08
Ledbury Reporter
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6/8/08
BBC News
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4/8/08
South Devon
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4/8/08
Birmingham Post
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31/7/08
Your Vale
Plans to extend the Llangollen Railway into Corwen move ahead with a public meeting in the town.
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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.
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23/7/08
Bootle Times
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18/7/08
BBC News
Enthusiasts have laid track on the old Belfast & County Down Railway, closed nearly 60 years ago.
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16/7/08
Shoreham Herald
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16/7/08
Deeside Piper
A disused railway linking Banchory and Crathes is to be reopened to rail enthusiasts.
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13/7/08
Wilts & Gloucs Standard
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11/7/08
Cambridge News
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8/7/08
Sunderland Echo
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4/7/08
BBC News
The first of Sustrans' Connect2 schemes has been opened to pedestrians and cyclists in Dumfries.
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1/7/08
Press & Journal (Aberdeen)
Residents of St Cyrus have been working to transform an old cutting into a community garden.
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1/7/08
Yorkshire Post
Three footplate men will be reunited with the Mallard to celebrate the loco's record speed run.
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Railway line back on track?
29/6/08
Weston Mercury
Study finds Portishead to Bristol rail link would be "feasible".
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27/6/08
Evng Gazette (Middlesbrough)
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24/6/08
Redditch Standard
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22/6/08
Chard & Ilminster News
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19/6/08
The Argus (Brighton)
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19/6/08
Harrow Times
Dozens of people serving time in the community have cleared up a disused railway line.
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19/6/08
South Manchester Reporter
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18/6/08
Bucks Free Press
Councillors are preparing to fight plans to build homes on a disused railway line in Wooburn Green.
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17/6/08
News & Star (Carlisle)
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17/6/08
Liverpool Echo
Pier Head Station will be recreated in the Museum of Liverpool, opening in 2010.
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17/6/08
Cambridge News
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14/6/08
Loughborough News
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12/6/08
Yorkshire Post
A progress report on the proposed reopening of the Skipton-Colne line.
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Demolition warning over Bath bus plan
12/6/08
This is Bath
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11/6/08
Wigan Today
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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.
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10/6/08
The News (Portsmouth)
A rapid bus link over Gosport's old railway line has come in for criticism.
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Artist blacksmith revives old rail
4/6/08
Dereham Times
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3/6/08
Building
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3/6/08
Northern Echo
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Proposed bus route could affect cycleway
28/5/08
This is Bristol
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27/5/08
Lynn News
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24/5/08
Southport Visiter
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24/5/08
News & Star
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Stirling-Alloa line reopens to passengers
19/5/08
Transport Briefing
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19/5/08
Longridge News
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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.
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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.
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7/5/08
Liverpool Daily Post
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3/5/08
Scarborough Evening News
A feasibility study looks at turning Scarborough station's former parcels office into an art studio.
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Next stop Chorlton
1/5/08
South Manchester Reporter
Work could start soon on a new spur for Manchester's Metrolink along a disused trackbed.
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29/4/08
Darlington & Stockton Times
Masham station yard and Richmond station have been shortlisted for restoration prizes.
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29/4/08
Metro
A railway fanatic hopes to open a museum at the disused station he's just bought for £300,000.
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23/4/08
Bike Radar
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22/4/08
The Star (South Yorkshire)
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18/4/08
The Star (South Yorkshire)
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17/4/08
Hereford Times
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17/4/08
Wigan Evening Post
Gangs of teenagers are putting lives at risk by throwing missiles from a disused railway bridge.
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17/4/08
BBC News
Glasgow City Council has blocked plans to reopen a disused subterranean station as a nightclub.
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12/4/08
BBC News
An old route into Plymouth may be revived if the Dawlish line keeps being swamped by the sea.
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10/4/08
The Times
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7/4/08
Evening News (Edinburgh)
Sustrans intends to transform the old line from Millerhill to Loanhead into a cycle route.
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30/3/08
Bike Radar
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28/3/08
Evening Times (Glasgow)
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Tunnels could become Lords' cricket nets
28/3/08
Marylebone Express
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15/3/08
Evening Courier (Halifax)
Work to lay a cycle path over West Vale viaduct has ended following protests from locals.
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13/3/08
The Citizen (Burnley)
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12/3/08
The Press (York)
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11/3/08
Evening Gazette (Newcastle)
A covered, moving walkway over an old viaduct could soon link an arena with Newcastle station.
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11/3/08
Express & Star (West Mids)
Trams could run along a disused Black Country freight line as part of a £388million project.
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New section of Ecclesbourne railway opens
10/3/08
Transport Briefing
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Waverley costs now £295m as delays grow
6/3/08
The Herald (Scotland)
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Bid to convert goods shed may hit buffers
4/3/08
Suffolk & Essex Online
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4/3/08
Evening News (Edinburgh)
Two stretches of disused line could be secured for use as part of Edinburgh's rail network.
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2/3/08
Sunderland Echo
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Museum plan for steam train attraction
27/2/08
Leicester Mercury
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24/2/08
BBC News
The curtain has come down on an old railway wagon converted into a tiny cinema.
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Brunel pump house faces demolition
23/2/08
This is Cornwall
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22/2/08
Birmingham Mail
Campaigners hoping to have Alrewas station reopened have received backing from landowners.
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22/2/08
Liverpool Daily Post
Hopes have been raised that two of Liverpool's commuter hubs could be linked via a disused line.
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22/2/08
Evening Courier (Halifax)
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19/2/08
BBC News
The biggest airline operating out of Belfast Airport want a disused railway line back in action.
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13/2/08
Bedford Today
Plans to develop part of Luton and Dunstable's guided busway could soon get the green light.
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8/2/08
Daily Post (North Wales)
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8/2/08
BBC News
The need for more housing in Tavistock could justify reopening a line which closed 40 years ago.
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6/2/08
Telegraph & Argus (Bradford)
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4/2/08
Daily Post (North Wales)
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2/2/08
The Bolton News
Police were forced to close a road after a man jumped from Darcy Lever viaduct.
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1/2/08
Evening Courier (Halifax)
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28/1/08
Daily Echo (Dorset)
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25/1/08
BBC News
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23/1/08
Ormskirk Advertiser
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21/1/08
The Journal
Transport bosses hope to reopen the Leamside line to create a new Tyne-Tees rail link.
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20/1/08
BBC News
A multi-million pound freight link between the Port of Liverpool and the WCML gets a green light.
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Cycle route needs more cash
10/1/08
Bath Chronicle
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3/1/08
BBC News
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