Pictured Is Monsal Head On The Monsal Trail In The Peak District National Park, In Derbyshire. Taken by Jon Cooper
Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
The Peak District National Park Authority aims to ‘safeguard’ its much-loved and most popular walking and cycling route The Monsal Trail despite Derbyshire County Council voting to support plans for the reinstatement of the Peaks and Dales railway line between Matlock and Buxton.
Reform UK-controlled Derbyshire County Council voted by a majority at a recent meeting to back the railway proposal to boost the local and wider economy, to support tourism, to reconnect key destinations including Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton and to reduce the impact of increasing traffic in the Peak District National Park.
However, the Peak District National Park Authority, overseen by Chief Executive Phil Mulligan, has stated that it is likely that its new Local Plan will safeguard the route as a trail and not as a railway line with the added possibility of even extending the Monsal Trail in the future.
A Peak District National Park Authority spokesperson said: “Since the Monsal Trail was reopened in 2011 as a public route, it has become a much-loved and accessibility-friendly activity that everyone can freely enjoy.
“The Peak District National Park Authority’s approach to safeguard the Monsal Trail for possible reuse has been in place since before the 2011 reopening.
“The overwhelming popularity and evident economic benefit of the trail, however, has since led the authority to reassess this approach in the recent review of the Local Plan.
“After two public consultations, it is likely that the new Local Plan will safeguard the route as a trail, not as a railway line, and with the possibility of extending the Monsal Trail in the future.”
Project developer and sponsor, Peaks and Dales Line, has been assessing the feasibility of reopening the Peaks and Dales railway which has now been submitted to the Department for Transport ahead of a Strategic Outline Business Case.
And Reform UK Derbyshire County Cllr Melandra Smith, who represents Buxton North and East, brought a successful motion and vote at a meeting on May 27 for the council to back the railway line plans.
Reopening the route would require the restoration of 11.5 miles of track, according to Cllr Smith, reconnecting a railway corridor of nearly 50 miles between Manchester and Derby via Buxton, Bakewell and Matlock.
Cllr Smith argued the area has been left less well-connected for generations after the original closure of the Matlock to Buxton line in 1968 following a decline in passenger numbers, the impact of the Beeching cuts and the gradual withdrawal of services.
She claims reopening the line will create benefits for Derbyshire and beyond including the North West and the East Midlands and transform Buxton by reconnecting the High Peak town into wider regional rail networks improving the local economy, business and work opportunities while supporting opportunities for youngsters and opening up health care.
Cllr Smith says the project shows strong potential economic benefits including a projected Gross Value Added uplift of between £2 billion to £8 billion for the period between 2030 to 2040.
She argued the scheme would increase tourism and reduce the growing number of cars in the National Park as well as HGVs while increasing more, alternative freight opportunities.
Cllr Smith claims it will improve access to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, support tourism and year-round economic activity, improve access to employment, education, healthcare and leisure and support the viability of rural bus networks while enabling sustainable quarry freight transport and reducing HGV traffic.
She argued the rail line can enhance rather than diminish recreational assets through proposals such as the Monsal Trail Network improving accessibility for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.
Cllr Smith claims that currently 80 to 85per cent of visitors to the Peak District travel by car causing severe congestion, overflowing car parks and increased carbon emissions which also affects the quality of life for residents.
She stated the scheme could see an estimated reduction of up to 4.3 million car journeys annually, as well as annual carbon savings in the region of 15,000 to 60,000 tonnes of CO2e while creating more sustainable transport with improved connectivity for residents.
However, a Peak District National Park spokesperson added: “The Monsal Trail is our most popular traffic-free route and attracts thousands of walkers, runners, families and cyclists every year.
“Its easy access and flat surfaces also makes the route ideal for wheelchair-users, mobility vehicles, pushchairs and prams. This allows everyone to experience the benefits of nature and the spectacular views of the Peak District National Park.
“Additionally, the Monsal Trail is a key factor that supports multiple independent, local businesses who rely solely on the trail. In October 2024, at Millers Dale Station alone, our Trail User Survey found the average spend per individual visitor was £58.20.
“Additionally, a recent Economic Business Case estimates that extending the trail to connect both Matlock and Buxton at a cost of £1.5M would generate £8.5M in active travel benefits. To reinstate the railway would mean the loss of income for the local businesses and cycle hires who rely on visitors and users of the Monsal Trail as a recreational route.”
Conservative Councillors Nigel Gourlay and Alex Dale shared concerns about the feared closure of the hugely popular Monsal Trail for walkers and cyclists which also attracts many tourists to Bakewell and Buxton.
Cllr Gourlay, who represents Chapel and Hope Valley, said he does not think the Peaks and Dales proposal will top the list of railways lines queuing up to reopen and he argued that claims the scheme will revitalise the Peak District ‘don’t stack up’.
Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Dale, argued the views of Matlock and Buxton residents and the users of the Monsal Trail and the circular White Peak Loop, which is also hugely popular with walkers and cyclists, need to be considered.
He said he is not convinced a new railway line will stop people from coming into the Peak District in their cars wanting to visit various areas.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Sue Burfoot, who represents Matlock, argued other solutions such as electric buses should be considered, and that there are no details on how the Monsal Trail could be enhanced, and she questioned the potential planning challenges faced by such a scheme including the need to reopen the Haddon Tunnel.
However, Green Party Cllr Lian Pizzey said he feels the scheme is something that should be considered and he supported the motion to reinstate the railway line.
Independent Cllr Amy Wheelton, said the scheme can deliver real improvements and opportunities for Derbyshire and now that the East Midlands Combined County Authority has responsibility for transport she says there is an opportunity to fight for the connectivity the county needs.
Cllr Emma Monkman said she also believes the railway line will provide options for youngsters and that it offers a step forward and an alternative to cars for residents particularly with more homes being developed.
But a Peak District National Park Authority added: “Whilst we recognise the value of rail as sustainable mass transport, we believe the current value and benefits to the public of the Monsal Trail far outweigh the benefits of railway in this case.”
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, of EMCCA, which now oversees transport matters for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, has stated that ‘significant challenges’ would need to be understood before proposals to reinstate the railway line could be deemed viable.
The Peaks and Dales Railway once formed part of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway which was a key Midland Railway route linking London, Derby and Manchester through the Peak District.
Plans for stakeholder engagement and a statutory consultation are currently being considered as part of the Peaks and Dales Line project with proposals including the integration of trail networks like the Monsal and Tissington Trails and environmental enhancement.
High Peak Borough Council Leader, Cllr Anthony McKeown, said: “We agree that improving rail connectivity is good, but at this time the most practical option for the High Peak would be the proposed VLR or Very Light Rail from Buxton to the start of the Monsal Trail at Blackwell Mill, which would significantly improve access for walkers and cyclists.
“We are pleased that EMCCA and East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, are encouraging the Buxton Town Team to develop a VLR proposal which would see existing freight lines used and a better alternative for cyclists who currently have to ride along the busy and narrow A6.”
