The Campaign to Re-Open The Ivanhoe Line

[HighPeakFox]

9 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

This is all speculation... 

You're entitled to that opinion, and I'm pretty certain you're absolutely wrong. 

[Greg2607]

5 minutes ago, Stadt said:

Dudley (has stations within a few miles) and Rushden are the two bigger places.

Yep... you are right... 

 

https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1251212

 

Many of the towns in the list e.g. Newcastle under Lyme, Gosport, Dudley and Washington form part of larger conurbations or metropolitan areas, with a railway station within easy reach. If you exclude these towns, the largest British towns without direct access to a railway station are Corby (population 50,000), Blyth (36,000), Rushden/Higham Ferrers (35,500), Peterlee (30,000) and Coalville (30,000).

 

BTW... I don't think that list is fully up to date as I know there is a station at Kenilworth (whereas the list says there isn't) - but it's a SCARY list for the number of our towns that aren't connected to the Rail Network.... no wonder no one flipping uses them! 

[Paninistickers]

37 minutes ago, Greg2607 said:

Yep... you are right... 

 

https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1251212

 

Many of the towns in the list e.g. Newcastle under Lyme, Gosport, Dudley and Washington form part of larger conurbations or metropolitan areas, with a railway station within easy reach. If you exclude these towns, the largest British towns without direct access to a railway station are Corby (population 50,000), Blyth (36,000), Rushden/Higham Ferrers (35,500), Peterlee (30,000) and Coalville (30,000).

 

BTW... I don't think that list is fully up to date as I know there is a station at Kenilworth (whereas the list says there isn't) - but it's a SCARY list for the number of our towns that aren't connected to the Rail Network.... no wonder no one flipping uses them! 

Corby has a station. But I get your point.

 

So frustrating for coalville but Leicester's poor connections to surrounding towns - Cov, Rugby, Northampton (in addition to the Ivanhoe line of coalville and Ashby) - hurt its own  economy too. 

 

 

 

 

[Greg2607]

12 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

Corby has a station. But I get your point.

 

So frustrating for coalville but Leicester's poor connections to surrounding towns - Cov, Rugby, Northampton (in addition to the Ivanhoe line of coalville and Ashby) - hurt its own  economy too. 

 

 

 

 

totally agree.... the thing is though... you can't fix it over the life of a parliament.. it needs a longer term, strategic programme of works.    It always amazes me how you come out of lots of foreign airports and the travel links from them is super simple. 

 

imagine trying to get to Leicester from East Midlands airport by rail.... you'd have to catch a bus to Nottingham to catch a train to Leicester.... 

 

Lisbon Airport.... walked out the door... down an escalator... got on a tube to Lisbon. Same for Barcelona... I just don't understand how we can't be joined up in the uk! 

[Paninistickers]

8 minutes ago, Greg2607 said:

you can't fix it over the life of a parliament.. it needs a longer term, strategic programme of works.

I'm always amazed that in 1850 or whatever, there were no trains. 

 

By 1900, literally every single line, bridge, tunnel, viaduct and station we have today we're all built. 

 

Then we ripped half of them up again 60 years later. 

 

We are a very odd country. 1800s to 1950 or so with the creation on the NHS we just went for it. Ever since we look to penny pinch and short cut and patch up at every opportunity 

[Free Falling Foxes]

15 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

I'm always amazed that in 1850 or whatever, there were no trains. 

 

By 1900, literally every single line, bridge, tunnel, viaduct and station we have today we're all built. 

 

Then we ripped half of them up again 60 years later. 

 

We are a very odd country. 1800s to 1950 or so with the creation on the NHS we just went for it. Ever since we look to penny pinch and short cut and patch up at every opportunity 

 

[Stadt]

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire both have 30+ stations each. Leicestershire has ~10, we have almost as many heritage stations in use as actual, it's embarrassing.

 

This is great (and dispiriting) if you've never seen it - an interactive map with the old lines.

https://www.railmaponline.com/UKIEMap.php

Edited 31 July 2024 by Stadt

[HighPeakFox]

33 minutes ago, Greg2607 said:

totally agree.... the thing is though... you can't fix it over the life of a parliament.. it needs a longer term, strategic programme of works.    It always amazes me how you come out of lots of foreign airports and the travel links from them is super simple. 

 

imagine trying to get to Leicester from East Midlands airport by rail.... you'd have to catch a bus to Nottingham to catch a train to Leicester.... 

 

Lisbon Airport.... walked out the door... down an escalator... got on a tube to Lisbon. Same for Barcelona... I just don't understand how we can't be joined up in the uk! 

Forgive me, but East Midlands Parkway (EMA Rail Station) runs regular trains to Leicester... 

[Otis]

1 hour ago, HighPeakFox said:

Forgive me, but East Midlands Parkway (EMA Rail Station) runs regular trains to Leicester... 

Genuine question. How do you get from EMP TO EMA?

[HighPeakFox]

2 minutes ago, Otis said:

Genuine question. How do you get from EMP TO EMA?

https://www.east-midlands-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html#:~:text=Use the RailLink service from,14 minutes door to door.

[davieG]

Douglas McLay

Admin

Group expert

 

The fightback begins!

We are delighted that our work with Amanda Hack, MP for North West Leicester, has helped Amanda take positive action to further the Campaign following the cancellation of the Restoring Your Railways scheme to reopen the Line.

Amanda has released an update on her work at Westminster which you can read by following this link: https://www.amandahack.com/amanda-hack-meets-rail-minister/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGsdapleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeL8ExVOAOeVWb2UP7pnIfLnD42kiGZBvB-Vydpi0Xk4cC98yLK5UHixeQ_aem_Blso7HPyq42Zl8HkLh9CKQ

We warmly welcome Amanda's initiative to launch the fightback to get the Ivanhoe Line reopening funded. We will be working closely together to promote the reopening both locally and at Westminster.

Its great to hear that Amanda had a positive meeting with Rail Minister Lord Hendy going through the Ivanhoe Line Business Case. This reinforced the fact to Lord Hendy that the case for reopening the line is a very strong one.

One key element of our Campaign is to demonstrate that the reopening continues to enjoy strong support for the Ivanhoe Line. We therefore strongly urge our supporters to complete the Transport Survey that Amanda's team are carrying out. This will give us a great deal of data which will help plan our Campaign and create a more persuasive case for the reopening.

You can find the survey here www.AmandaHack.com/TheIvanhoeLine

It's great to have such positive news about Amanda's work at Westminster and in her constituency. Keep your eyes open here for more news about the work going on to get our Line reopened.

 

Amanda Hack presented plans for the Ivanhoe Line to the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, ahead of the capital rail projects review and has launched a local transport survey.

After many conversations with transport and treasury colleagues since July, last week, Amanda Hack met with the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, as part of the comprehensive review of capital rail projects, which includes schemes that were previously part of Restoring Your Railways.

Since being elected, Amanda has worked closely with local stakeholders, such as CRIL, to make a compelling case for the line. The aim remains to secure the necessary funding, demonstrating how it could enhance connectivity, boost the local economy, and provide a sustainable transportation option as the area continues to grow.

Following the meeting, Amanda Hack said:

“Meeting with Lord Hendy to showcase the Ivanhoe Line and share some of the business case has been very insightful for us both. The comprehensive review of capital transport projects is ongoing, with decisions still to be made on which projects will be given the green light.

I will continue working with CRIL and other stakeholders to build the most robust business case, building on the work already undertaken to put North West Leicestershire at the front of the queue for future investment in rail projects. Local people need to be at the heart of this project, so I am now launching a transport survey to gather vital information and views, to assist with building the case.

Having a beautiful railway running through the heart of The National Forest will bring substantial economic benefits, alongside providing thousands of local people with better connectivity. We are well above the national average in terms of motor vehicle usage because of our poor public transport links. We must provide better transport infrastructure in the future as our area continues to grow.”

Douglas Mclay of The Campaign to Re-open the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) said:

“We were pleased to be updated by Amanda and her team following the productive meeting with Lord Hendy. Having Amanda lead the fight for the Ivanhoe Line strongly will only enhance our efforts to see the railway re-opened to passenger services once again. We would encourage everyone to participate in the transport survey to help gather valuable data that supports the case for the line’s reopening.”

The Transport survey can be completed online by visiting
www.AmandaHack.com/TheIvanhoeLine. The survey will run until Thursday 19th December to gather data and views to help aid the business case for the Ivanhoe Line; all local people and businesses are encouraged to take part and share their views.

[davieG]

 

Campaign for the Reopening of the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL)

Douglas McLay  · 20h  · 

 

 

CAN YOU HELP OUR CAMPAIGN?

Are you someone who is supporting the Campaign because you would use the line regularly and feel that being able to travel on it would make a positive impact on your life?

Maybe you, or a member of your family, would like to go to University in Leicester, Derby or even Loughborough and public transport isn't good enough to be practical, and you don't have access to a car.

or

Perhaps you need to regularly attend hospital in Burton or Leicester but find taxis very expensive to use so frequently

or

You could find better paid work in Leicester, Burton or Derby, but can't face the stress and unpredictability of commuting by car during the rush hour

or

You would more easily be able to visit friends and family, attend sporting or cultural events, or access the National Forest to enjoy walking, mountain biking, running etc in its natural surroundings.

If so, or you have another reason to use the line, you could really help the Campaign by sharing your story for us to use to further the argument for reopening. Your input would be anonymised if you wanted.

IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE DROP ME A DM! Do it now before you forget !

[davieG]

Douglas McLay

Admin

Group expert

 

So this morning we hear on BBC Breakfast that the government will fund reconfiguring rail infrastructure around Greater Manchester to enable Old Trafford to be rebuilt. This will cost billions.

Yet apparently they can't find a measily £100m for a shovel ready scheme to give the A511 corridor a rail service and connect three struggling towns a connection to the National Railway network.

We are asking ourselves why our area is consistently being ignored......

[Foxdiamond]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

Douglas McLay

Admin

Group expert

 

So this morning we hear on BBC Breakfast that the government will fund reconfiguring rail infrastructure around Greater Manchester to enable Old Trafford to be rebuilt. This will cost billions.

Yet apparently they can't find a measily £100m for a shovel ready scheme to give the A511 corridor a rail service and connect three struggling towns a connection to the National Railway network.

We are asking ourselves why our area is consistently being ignored......

A big concern this. Does anyone know if this would mean public money going into improvement of the Man U stadium or simply the surroundings or no public money at all?

[davieG]

3 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

A big concern this. Does anyone know if this would mean public money going into improvement of the Man U stadium or simply the surroundings or no public money at all?

It certainly has a bad smell about it even if it’s not money suspect influence seems highly likely 

[Foxdiamond]

Just now, davieG said:

It certainly has a bad smell about it even if it’s not money suspect influence seems highly likely 

Any suggestion of helping make Man U richer is a stink. Not an expert but didn't Man C and West Ham benefit by getting the stadiums on the cheap?

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

Any suggestion of helping make Man U richer is a stink. Not an expert but didn't Man C and West Ham benefit by getting the stadiums on the cheap?

West Ham did and still benefit from it 

[ajthefox]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

Douglas McLay

Admin

Group expert

 

So this morning we hear on BBC Breakfast that the government will fund reconfiguring rail infrastructure around Greater Manchester to enable Old Trafford to be rebuilt. This will cost billions.

Yet apparently they can't find a measily £100m for a shovel ready scheme to give the A511 corridor a rail service and connect three struggling towns a connection to the National Railway network.

We are asking ourselves why our area is consistently being ignored......

 

1 hour ago, Foxdiamond said:

A big concern this. Does anyone know if this would mean public money going into improvement of the Man U stadium or simply the surroundings or no public money at all?

 

The tweet suggesting Man Utd are getting billions to redevelop their ground is off the mark. I'm not saying it's all squeaky clean but it's clearly about a much bigger project, of which Old Trafford is part of the context. 

 

Manchester have also just announced a consultation on the reconfiguration of Oxford Road Station on the same line. I'm not certain but I think this is all linked.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/network-rail-launches-consultation-on-plans-to-improve-manchester-oxford-road-station

 

 

Quote

 

Key benefits of the scheme are:

• Increasing the length of the platforms will mean an extra 120 seats will be available on services calling at the station.
• Improving the track and signalling will increase flexibility, and so improving reliability across the regional network, supporting an increase from 12 to 14 trains per hour.
• Improvements to the station’s platforms and footbridge will create a more accessible and inviting environment for passengers.
• Longer platforms will enable interfacing schemes, such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade, to deliver their full benefits including longer trains running on the wider network.

 

Any which way, I don't think it's that comparable to the Ivanhoe line given the significance of this line.

Edited 29 January 2025 by ajthefox

[davieG]

1 hour ago, ajthefox said:

 

 

The tweet suggesting Man Utd are getting billions to redevelop their ground is off the mark. I'm not saying it's all squeaky clean but it's clearly about a much bigger project, of which Old Trafford is part of the context. 

 

Manchester have also just announced a consultation on the reconfiguration of Oxford Road Station on the same line. I'm not certain but I think this is all linked.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/network-rail-launches-consultation-on-plans-to-improve-manchester-oxford-road-station

 

 

Any which way, I don't think it's that comparable to the Ivanhoe line given the significance of this line.

Maybe but you could probably do 10? Ivanhoe lines around the country for that

[Guest Lako42]

Andy Burnham 

 

 

[Paninistickers]

https://ashby.nub.news/news/local-news/rail-campaigners-submit-plans-for-revived-ivanhoe-line-through-ashby-as-part-of-larger-transport-system-254061?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3TvgsD10mKvFCZdzMSeIjkVOCGnucYqhL9j_6urwPhh17ljTz0orRV7h4_aem_2VyvbfWN_iNoIMzlzTALdw

 

 

[Guest Lako42]

12 hours ago, Paninistickers said:

https://ashby.nub.news/news/local-news/rail-campaigners-submit-plans-for-revived-ivanhoe-line-through-ashby-as-part-of-larger-transport-system-254061?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3TvgsD10mKvFCZdzMSeIjkVOCGnucYqhL9j_6urwPhh17ljTz0orRV7h4_aem_2VyvbfWN_iNoIMzlzTALdw

 

 

About as likely as the KP being extended 

[lcfc278]

Wikipedia says something about this line about to be named as officially 'out of use' as of March 31st - does anyone know what it means by this? Will it stop being used for freight and altogether?

Edited 12 March 2025 by lcfc278

[Paninistickers]

Wider rail questions....How's the rail network plan its routes? 

 

I was at Manchester yesterday....the network of routes is extraordinary. Except,.ofc, Leicester (and Nottingham actually) 

 

Bournemouth Cardiff, Cleethorpes, Huddersfield, Bristol all sorts of routes in all sorts of lines. And the routes seem fixed..like been in existence for years

 

Why can't some of the cross country routes pass through Leicester? Is there a reason? 

[davieG]

4 hours ago, Paninistickers said:

Wider rail questions....How's the rail network plan its routes? 

 

I was at Manchester yesterday....the network of routes is extraordinary. Except,.ofc, Leicester (and Nottingham actually) 

 

Bournemouth Cardiff, Cleethorpes, Huddersfield, Bristol all sorts of routes in all sorts of lines. And the routes seem fixed..like been in existence for years

 

Why can't some of the cross country routes pass through Leicester? Is there a reason? 

For its size Leicester is one of if not the worst connect City in England.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/trains-cities-connections-leicester-birmingham-rail-best-worst-a9061091.html#:~:text=Leicester is the worst-connected big city in Britain in,was evaluated on four criteria.

 

Yes, studies have indicated that Leicester is the worst-connected big city in Britain in terms of rail links, with a narrower range of train services than even some villages in Cornwall. 

 

Here's a breakdown of why Leicester is considered poorly connected:

• Limited Direct Rail Links:

  Leicester has regular direct rail links only to Birmingham, Nottingham, and Sheffield, and only three daily trains to Leeds, with the first one leaving very late. 

   
• Lack of Wider Connections:

  While Leicester is on the East Midlands line to London, it has lost its wider connections to other major cities. 

   
• Poor Score in Rail Connectivity Study:

  In a study by The Independent, Leicester scored the lowest among the 12 largest cities outside London, with a score of 6.5, while Birmingham came top with a score of 18. 

   
• Criteria for the Study:

  The study evaluated cities based on: how many of the other 11 big cities could be reached by a direct service; how many fast trains to London there were each hour; whether trams or a metro service served the city's main station; and whether there was a transport link to the nearest airport. 

   

   

  Leicester is the worst-connected big city by rail in Britain
  Exclusive: A village in Cornwall has better links to major UK cities than the place Thomas Cook started his empire

  Simon Calder
  Travel Correspondent
  Friday 16 August 2019 09:33 BST
  Comments

  How Britain's big cities shape up for train links
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  Leicester is the worst-connected big city in Britain in terms of rail links.

  Research by The Independent shows that the East Midlands city has a narrower range of train services than a village in Cornwall.

  Each of the 12 largest cities outside London was evaluated on four criteria.

  First, from that city how many of the other 11 are served by regular direct rail links?

  Next, the number of fast train departures each hour from the city to London.

  Whether there is direct access from the city’s main rail station to a tram or metro network?

  And whether there is a connection to the nearest airport? One point was awarded for a train, metro or tram, and half for a bus link.

  While Leicester has three nonstop trains an hour to London, to major cities outside the capital it has regular direct links only to Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield. There are three daily trains to Leeds, but they are of little use to travellers as the first does not leave until shortly before 8pm.

  The city is on the East Midlands line from London St Pancras to South Yorkshire, but has long lost its wider connections.

  Leicester was, ironically, the original headquarters for the pioneer of organised rail travel, Thomas Cook. A statue of the founder of the tourism empire stands adjacent to the city’s station.

  Nicky Gardner, co-author of Europe by Rail, said: “Prior to the Beeching cuts in the 1960s, Leicester had multiple direct daily trains to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.

  “The downgrading of the Midland main line curbed Leicester’s connectivity, with the closure of the Great Central further depleting the departure lists.”

  Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “Rail links are an essential element of the regional transport infrastructure.

  “As major contributors to the UK economy, and being located in the heart of the country, Leicester needs and deserves the best possible transport links.

  “By the government’s own figures, for many years the east midlands has received only 60 per cent of the national average per head when it comes to infrastructure investment.

  “This has to change if Leicester and the wider region is to realise its fantastic potential.“

  The small Cornish village of Par now has better connections than Leicester – even though it has only one-200th of the population.

  Passengers from Par, a small station inland from Fowey, enjoy hourly fast services to London and direct connections to seven of the 12 biggest cities outside the capital. A sleeper train runs six nights a week to Paddington.

  Cardiff is the second-worst connected big city in Britain. It scores overall as badly as Leicester, but has more regular fast trains and direct links to a wider range of cities outside London: Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham.

  In addition, a new train operator, Grand Union, plans an extra hourly service to London that would improve the showing for the Welsh capital.

  Birmingham has by far the best links by rail of any city outside London, with direct connections from New Street station to all 11 of the other big cities (as well as Par in Cornwall).

  It also has three Virgin Trains departures each hour to London Euston, in addition to half-hourly departures from Snow Hill to Marylebone station in the capital.

  There are frequent trains to Birmingham International for the city’s airport, and the West Midlands Metro now stops outside New Street.

  Manchester was some distance behind in second place. It also has three Virgin Trains each hour to London, though no connection with Leicester. But it earnt points for an airport link and access to the tram network.

  Newcastle and Edinburgh share third place. The Scottish capital fared much better than Glasgow, in joint ninth place with Liverpool, because Edinburgh has more frequent trains to London, and immediate access at Haymarket station to the tram line – including a direct link to the airport.

  Sheffield is fifth, with Bristol and Leeds sharing sixth position. Nottingham takes eighth place.

  Liverpool and Glasgow can both claim that they should have scored more highly: a direct link between the two cities was due to start in 2018 but has yet to begin.

  The best connected station in London is St Pancras, which in the 1960s was a candidate for demolition.

  Besides its original purpose as the terminus for the East Midlands main line, St Pancras also offers high-speed Southeastern services to Kent, Eurostar links to Paris, Brussels and the south of France, and Thameslink trains to Cambridge, Brighton and the airport stations for Gatwick and Luton.

  When combined with King’s Cross, to which St Pancras is adjacent, the pair comprise by far the best rail hub in Britain.

  The 12 cities and their scores
  1. Birmingham (18)

  2. Manchester (15)

  3. = Edinburgh (12)

  3. = Newcastle (12)

  5. Sheffield (11)

  6. = Bristol (10.5)

  6. = Leeds (10.5)

  8. Nottingham (9.5)

  9. = Liverpool (8.5)

  9. = Glasgow (8.5)

  11. Cardiff (6.5)

  12. Leicester (6.5)