Campaign to reopen these stations between Chesterfield and Sheffield

A series of virtual meetings are taking place to allow residents to discuss the idea of reopening railway stations in Killamarsh, Eckington, Staveley and New Whittington.
Tim Paget
By Tim Paget
Published 1st Sep 2020, 16:45 GMT
Updated 2nd Sep 2020, 09:03 GMT
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Cash has been secured to fund a feasibility study into reopening the stations for the first time in around half a century.

They are all located on the Barrow Hill line, which runs between Chesterfield and Sheffield, and is currently only used by freight trains.

MORE: HS2 opposes major plans to restore stretch of Chesterfield Canal

Barrow Hill has a proud railway history and a Talgo innovation centre is to open in the old Roundhouse.Barrow Hill has a proud railway history and a Talgo innovation centre is to open in the old Roundhouse.
Barrow Hill has a proud railway history and a Talgo innovation centre is to open in the old Roundhouse.
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North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley held a virtual meeting for Eckington residents to have their say and has meetings lined up between now and mid-September for Killamarsh, Staveley/Barrow Hill and New Whittington.

The meetings are held online and all residents are invited to join for free.

Conservative MP Mr Rowley said: “The reopening of stations in Eckington, Killamarsh, New Whittington and Staveley could be transformative and fits with our ambitions to level up North East Derbyshire.

MORE: Chesterfield council boss responds after Staveley ‘snub’

North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley says opening stations on the Barrow Hill line could help transform the area's economy.North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley says opening stations on the Barrow Hill line could help transform the area's economy.
North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley says opening stations on the Barrow Hill line could help transform the area's economy.

“To make our proposals as strong as possible we want to utilise the local knowledge and perspectives that only residents can offer.

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"We are also really keen to generate local support for the project and show the Government that our local communities are behind it when we make the case for further funding.”

The idea is part of the ‘Restoring Your Railway’ initiative and the North East Derbyshire proposal was one of just 10 in the UK to get through the first round of bidding.

As a result, it has won funding for a project to investigate the plan in more detail – something which is now underway and involves MPS and Sheffield City Region.

Barrow Hill has a proud railway history and a Talgo innovation centre is to open in the old Roundhouse.Barrow Hill has a proud railway history and a Talgo innovation centre is to open in the old Roundhouse.
Barrow Hill has a proud railway history and a Talgo innovation centre is to open in the old Roundhouse.

Philip Riden, chairman of Chesterfield Civic Society, said the plan was ‘one of the most promising ideas anyone has come up with’ given the ‘ridiculously small size’ of the money provided for the rail restoration fund.

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He said the line continues to be maintained for passenger standards.

The remaining meetings will be held at the following times: Killamarsh – Wednesday, September 2 at 6.30pm; Staveley/Barrow Hill – Wednesday, September 9 at 5pm and

New Whittington – Monday, September 14 at 5pm.

Residents who wish to attend can get an invitation to join by emailing [email protected] or calling 439 222.

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Related topics:Lee RowleySheffieldChesterfieldResidents