News stories

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 news page will provide links to relevant stories.

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April 2025

Approval for station redevelopment22/04/25Liverpool Echo
A new £100M Merseyrail station - created by redeveloping the disused St James Station - will be built in Liverpool after plans were approved by city councillors.
Money still needed for station relocation22/04/25BBC News
The team relocating the disused Wansford Road Station near Peterborough, brick by brick, say they need £150,000 to complete the project.
Positive signs for Devon reopening20/04/25Somerset Live
Discussions with government representatives and the Great Western Railway over the reopening of the Tarka Line to Bideford have been encouraging, according to local campaigners.
Station reinstatement on the cards17/04/25Island Echo
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has bought the former Ashey Station building as part of a £1.5M restoration project, which could ultimately see the reinstatement of a passing loop, sidings and waiting room.
Benefits of Leamside reopening revealed16/04/25Chronicle Live
Restoring the full length of the mothballed Leamside line could provide new rail links for 100,000 people and unlock the potential to build 10,000 homes, according to the regional mayor.
Campaigners aim for Cotswold reopening11/04/25Swindon Advertiser
A project to re-establish a rail link to Cirencester has taken a step forward with the setting-up of a not-for-profit company committed to improving public transport services in the Cotswolds.
Trains returning to Sharpness05/04/25Gloucestershire Gazette
The Vale of Berkeley Railway Charitable Trust has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to operate heritage trains at Sharpness by securing a Mainline Licence Exemption from the Office of Rail and Road.
First phase of railway path opens02/04/25Northumberland Gazette
A significant milestone has been marked in an ambitious project to transform the disused Cornhill railway into a new greenway in Alnwick.
Railway path proposed for South Lanarkshire02/04/25The National
Plans have been announced for a new greenway that will link Coalburn and Lesmahagow via a dismantled railway.

March 2025

Hampshire railway set for active travel role25/03/25Salisbury Journal
A two-mile section of the dismantled railway from Salisbury to Wimborne is to be transformed into a public greenway.
Railway path plan confirmed20/03/25BBC News
Derbyshire County Council is to spend £2.7M transforming the former Little Eaton-Rawson Green railway into an active travel route.
Call for station reopening20/03/25Stoke Sentinel
Hundreds of supporters are backing calls to reopen Meir Station near Stoke-on-Trent.
Money provided for Portishead reopening15/03/25ITV News
Work to reopen the disused railway between Bristol and Portishead can begin this summer following a £27M cash boost from the West of England Combined Authority.
Band use for water tower14/03/25York Press
The future of York's oldest surviving railway building looks more secure after the city council approved plans to convert it into a space for use by brass bands.
Bridge use thwarted by fencing12/03/25West Bridgford Wire
The Regional Mayor for the East Midlands is being asked to help resolve a funding issue that has closed a popular railway walk linking Radcliffe-on-Trent and Cotgrave Country Park.
Signal box up for sale09/03/25Northern Echo
The derelict signal box at Lartington, which once controlled traffic over the adjacent Deepdale Viaduct, is up for sale with a price-tag of £25K.
Voids mapped during tunnel infill05/03/25New Civil Engineer
Innovative laser scanner technology has been deployed to assist with National Highways' infilling of the notorious Clifton Hall Tunnel .
Heritage operation extends line04/03/25Stoke-on-Trent Live
The Churnet Valley Railway has finally completed its long-awaited track extension, connecting its line from Froghall Station into Leek through a short tunnel.
Delays to station study03/03/25Hereford Times
Proposals to reopen a station for south-west Herefordshire at Pontrilas on the Hereford-Abergavenny railway have hit a further setback.
Security boost for listed viaduct03/03/25BBC News
Plans to install new measures to prevent trespass and vandalism at Victoria Viaduct near Washington have been submitted for council consideration.

February 2025

Bid for East Midlands reopening28/02/25Leicestershire Live
A bid to reopen the railway connecting Leicester and Northampton has been launched by public transport campaigners.
East Renfrewshire railway path hits buffers27/02/25STV
Campaigners have been left dismayed after a proposed active travel route linking Neilston and Uplawmoor via a dismantled railway was scrapped at great expense to the taxpayer.
Government engaging with trans-Pennine reopening24/02/25LancsLive
A campaign group wanting government and rail industry support to reopen the disused railway between Colne and Skipton says it is due to hold talks with a transport minister.
Work starts on Ulster greenway24/02/25Insider Media
Construction of the new £5.6m Newtownards to Bangor Greenway is underway, partly repurposing a dismantled railway.
Plans for viaduct repurposing19/02/25Urban Realm
A disused railway line spanning the River Clyde could become an active travel route connecting Carmyle and Westburn, according to a new planning application.
Concern over bridge closure18/02/25Gloucestershire Live
Frustration is growing over the ongoing closure of an old railway bridge across the River Wye in the 50th anniversary year of a popular walking route which crosses the structure.
Tunnel to open for exploration18/02/25Sussex World
Heathfield Tunnel, which used to be part of an active travel route, will be reopened temporarily as part of this year's Cuckoo Line Gala.
Decision due on houses in railway cutting17/02/25Manchester Evening News
Plans for a housing estate to be built in a disused railway cutting set to be decided, more than five years since they were first approved.
Guarded support for Welsh reopening study16/02/25Nation Cymru
Railway campaigners have welcomed a new feasibility report on reopening the Bangor to Afon Wen line, but describe its conclusion as disappointing.
Viaduct access path reopens14/02/25BBC News
A new footpath has opened so visitors to Bennerley Viaduct can once again enjoy the habitat underneath it.
Funds agreed for reopening11/02/25BBC News
Construction is set to begin in summer to bring back the Bristol-Portishead railway after an agreement was reached with the government over funding.
New station for Ashton Gate11/02/25BBC News
A new railway station is be built at Ashton Gate, home to Bristol City, replacing one that was closed in 1977.
Clearing up the Longridge line06/02/25Network Rail
Network Rail is working with community groups to clean up the disused Preston-Longridge railway which has been blighted by fly-tipping.
Hope for station reopening04/02/25Stroud News & Journal
The reopening of Stonehouse Station on the Bristol-Birmingham line features in a new plan which could transform the region's rail system.

January 2025

Tram potential for old line31/01/25Edinburgh Live
A team from Heriot-Watt University is spearheading a campaign to reopen a disused Edinburgh rail route as part of the city's tram network.
New lease of life for Cumbrian viaduct30/01/25BBC News
Work to restore the Grade II listed Smardale Gill Viaduct in the Westmorland Dales has been completed, with 130 masonry blocks repaired or replaced.
No hope for Yorkshire reopening28/01/25We Are Barnsley
A proposal to reopen a disused railway at Royston for passenger services will not go ahead as neither the Department for Transport nor Network Rail supported it.
Access plan for signal box27/01/25Wales Online
The Llangollen Railway Trust has applied to Denbighshire’s planning department, seeking permission to build a wheelchair accessible platform adjacent to a historic signal box.
Leamside reopening crucial for North East economy25/01/25Northern Echo
A new town could be built close to the disused Leamside line if dreams of restoring the route can be turned into a reality.
No plans to sell tourist station24/01/25Nation Cymru
Monmouthshire County Council has denied it is planning to sell the much-loved disused station at Tintern as it aims to cut £5 million from its budget.
Hopes for Portishead progress24/01/25Business Live
Construction work to reopen the Portishead railway could start this year, with the first trains welcomed by 2027, according to North Somerset Council, if the government approves the project.
Stay under the arches23/01/25Urban Realm
A disused railway arch in Leith is set to become an aparthotel and cafe under new plans prepared by developers.
Bridge renewal plans supported22/01/25Edinburgh Evening News
Leith’s Pride Bridge - a disused railway structure - is set to become the centrepiece of a new community open space after Edinburgh City Council backed plans to regenerate it.
Bridge works prompt road closure21/01/25Hereford Times
A Herefordshire road is to close for four weeks whilst works take place to a disused railway bridge at Walford.
Planning bid for station break15/01/25Border Telegraph
Railway-themed holiday accommodation is on the cards at the remote disused station at Saughtree in Northumberland if proposals receive planning permission.
Coastal track reappears14/01/25DevonLive
A historic railway has re-emerged on a Cornish beach for the first time in many years.
South Wales cycle path set for extension13/01/25Wales Online
The final phase of a new route for walkers and cyclists in the Rhondda Fach could soon be approved along a section of dismantled railway.
Progress for Alnwick greenway11/01/25Chronicle Live
A section of the disused Cornhill branch in Northumberland is set to reopen as a greenway on the 60th anniversary of its closure.
Tunnel portal excavation proposed09/01/25Nation Cymru
First steps towards the reopening of Rhondda Tunnel have been submitted for planning approval, involving the excavation of one of its entrances.
Holiday plan for old station06/01/25Daily Express
A disused station on Anglesey could be set for a new life as two holiday lets.
Future hope for Carlisle viaduct repurposing03/01/25News & Star
Campaigners behind a near 15-year effort to bring an disused viaduct back into public use have appealed for a 'final push' in 2025.
Continued push for Pennines reopening03/01/25Telegraph & Argus
Campaigners have urged politicians to maintain their backing of efforts to bring the former Skipton-Colne railway back into use.
Demolition planned for Dorset bridge02/01/25Bridport News
Plans are in motion to remove a historic railway bridge near Toller Porcorum so that a road blighted by flooding can be reprofiled.