Petition launched to restore Peak rail line

James Wyatt has started the petition and has written a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin.

He wants a feasibility study to be launched into reopening the route, which closed to freight traffic in 1981, and says that the current climate provides a fresh opportunity to do so with train travel ‘in demand more than ever.’

This is not the first time that the issue has come under the spotlight, with a feasibility study taken back in 2004.

James said: “A feasibility study was carried out in the past and although financially unviable at the time, a decade has now passed and it’s a whole different situation.

“Passenger numbers have grown astronomically, all but one of the stations along the current Derwent Valley Line have seen passenger numbers more than double over this time. Rail travel is also in demand more than ever.

“Tourism and the local economy would undoubtedly be boosted in the areas the route covers.”

So far over 1,200 people have backed James’ petition. To sign it, visit the website www.change.org and search for Matlock and Buxton.

Andrew Scott, from the Department for Transport, said: “We are aware of the aspirations for the Buxton to Matlock railway line, and it is up to local authorities in Derbyshire and the rail industry to develop a business case for reopening the route.”