Ivanhoe train line revival is ‘dead’

This story was written by the local democracy reporting service (LDRS), a BBC-funded scheme to improve the coverage of issues relating to local democracy. The Leicester Gazette has been a partner in the scheme since March 2024, and so receives some stories as part of it.

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The campaign to restore passenger services on the historic route has been running for decades, and last month saw it gain its first ever parliamentary debate. Labour MP for North West Leicestershire Amanda Hack had highlighted the line’s potential to link communities and industry during the debate.

However, according to Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Waste, the project is “dead” as acquiring support from the current Labour government in Westminster is unlikely.

Reform councillor Adam Tilbury, told the local democracy reporting service (LDRS): “Her concerns have fallen on deaf ears unfortunately. We are massively in debt as a country. There’s no appetite for it.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen in this government’s lifetime – it’s dead really.”

The Ivanhoe line used to connect Leicester with Burton-on-Trent, but was closed to passengers in the 1960s amid the infamous Dr Beeching cuts.

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The Campaign for the Re-opening of the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) group submitted plans to the previous Conservative government to bring the line back into use as part of the Restoring your Railway programme.

However, Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves shut down hopes of its return in 2024 when she cancelled the programme, saving the treasury £85m.

CRIL’s plans would have seen Coalville linked to Derby in phase one, with further links to Leicester and London to follow.

Councillor Tilbury said it is “ridiculous” that there are currently no passenger routes to link commuters in these areas.

He said: “People with no car could go to high paying jobs and bring money back into the area.

“It’s very frustrating. Leicestershire County Council always seems to be at the back of the queue.

“We have got all the investment coming in around the area but no transport links. We’ve been promised a rail link for years. We just want the same transport links everyone else has in the country.”

Hack told Westminster the line would also be beneficial in terms of providing greener transport options for the area.

She said: “Currently, 99 per cent of visitors to local attractions like Conkers travel by car. A train line would provide a greener alternative, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage more sustainable travel. It could even be branded the ‘National Forest Line,’ which has a nice ring to it.

“There is no doubt in my mind, nor in the minds of local people, that restoring passenger rail is a priority.”

While Hack vouched to “hold the department’s feet to the fire”, councillor Tilbury said the county council is left “powerless” by the current situation.

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