Campaigners claim restored Leicester-to-Burton rail line could …

Campaigners have called on the Government to drop plans for a restored Ivanhoe Line[1] over fears it will reduce house prices. A petition for the proposed line's cancellation has now been created in a bid to halt any chance of full steam ahead in Leicestershire. The line, which ran between Leicester[2] and Burton, has not served passengers since the 1960s, with a series of campaigns to bring it back failing to materialise.

The latest effort, from the Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line group (CRIL), has achieved much backing though. Its plans are in the hands of the Government, which could approve the line's return. However, a petition against such a move has been set up.

It states: "We want the Government to stop the restoration of the Ivanhoe train line from Leicester to Burton-on-Trent, which runs next to new and old housing. Restoring and reopening this passenger line could substantially reduce the value of homes, causing extreme financial hardship to families." If the scheme is approved by the Government, CRIL has previously estimated that work on the revived line could start within the next two years, and take its first passengers by 2026.

Four stations have been previously identified for the line: Coalville[4]; Ashby[5]; Gresley; and Leicester South. A firm location on the Coalville station has yet to be identified. Earlier this year, North West Leicestershire District Council touted two potential locations[6], the car park next to the town's Belvoir Shopping Centre and the vacant Coalville Market Hall building, and an area currently fenced off by Network Rail in Wolsey Road.

If that progresses, the East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses across the region, believes five other areas could also gain stations: Drakelow & Stapenhill; Castle Gresley; Moira; Ellistown; and Meynell's Gorse. It is a move CRIL said it felt would aid Leicestershire and the wider regional economy. However, the petition raises fears of pollution[7] and loss of privacy created by trains.

It states: "The noise from passenger trains would also impact day-to-day life of the local people. The homes next to the line could lose the privacy of their gardens and homes." It adds: "The line has not been open to passengers for decades.

Please don't ruin the lives of home owners in the area." The petition had 24 signatures as of Friday, May 5. It runs until Friday, October 13.

For top stories from across Leicestershire and Rutland, sign up to our newsletters here.[8]

References

1. ^ restored Ivanhoe Line (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ Leicester (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ Leicestershire Police officers redeployed to London ahead of King Charles III coronation (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
4. ^ Coalville (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
5. ^ Ashby (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
6. ^ two potential locations (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
7. ^ raises fears of pollution (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
8. ^ sign up to our newsletters here. (data.reachplc.com)