Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
Derbyshire County Council has voted to support plans for the reinstatement of the Peaks and Dales railway line between Matlock and Buxton despite concerns about the effects this could have on popular tourist beauty spots including the Monsal Trail and the White Peak Loop.
Cllr Melandra Smith proposed the motion at a council meeting on May 27 for the Reform-controlled authority to back the plans designed to boost the local and wider economy, support tourism, reconnect key destinations including Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton and to reduce the impact of increasing traffic in the Peak District National Park.
The Reform UK Councillor, who represents Buxton North and East, told the meeting: “I rise to ask the council to support the principle of reopening the Peaks and Dales railway line between Buxton and Matlock.
“A proposal which I believe could deliver enormous long-term benefits to residents, businesses and the wider economy of Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park.
“This is not about restoring an old railway for sentimental reasons. It’s about modern transport, economic resilience and giving isolated rural communities inside the National Park better options for the future.”
Project developer and sponsor, Peaks and Dales Line, have been working on a study 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.
Cllr Smith said the study concludes that reopening the route is technically feasible with no major barriers identified at this stage.
She argued 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 left the area less well connected for generations.
Cllr Smith 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 the wider regional rail networks improving the local economy, business and work opportunities while supporting opportunities for youngsters and opening up health care.
She claims 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.
Cllr Smith argued the scheme would increase and strengthen tourism and reduce the growing and concerning number of cars in the Peak District National Park as well as HGVs while increasing more, alternative freight opportunities.
She also claims the scheme has received positive engagement from the Department for Transport.
Cllr Smith argued 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.
The Reform UK councillor said she recognises concerns for the Monsal Trail and the White Peak Loop but she argued the rail line can be delivered in a way that enhances, rather than diminishes recreational assets through proposals such as the Monsal Trail Network improving accessibility for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.
But Conservative Councillors Nigel Gourlay and Alex Dale raised 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, argued there will be dozens of proposed railway lines queuing up to reopen and he does not think the Peaks and Dales proposal will top the list and he argued that claims the scheme will revitalise the Peak District ‘don’t stack up’.
He said that to support the reinstatement of the Peaks and Dales railway line would mean having to close the Monsal Trail to tourists.
Cllr Gourlay said: “If people outside this community wish to save the Monsal Trail the choice is clear. They should join our campaign to stop Reform closing the Monsal Trail.”
Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Alex 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: “I cannot support this motion without significantly better understanding of how it would impact on existing leisure assets like the infrastructure, like the Monsal Trail and the White Peak Loop and what the alternatives would be and how we could protect these assets in particular.”
Cllr Dale also argued that he is not convinced a new, linear railway line will stop people from coming into the Peak District in their cars wanting to visit various areas.
Conservative Cllr Linda Grooby said: “The Monsal Trail in its present format is the most popular walking and cycling route in the Peak District. It drives tourists into the surrounding villages such as Bakewell and Buxton bringing massive reserve into the area.”
Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Tom Snowdon, said he generally supports improvements in public transport and reducing congestion but he feels this scheme poses too many unanswered questions during a time when there are already expensive and poor quality trains.
He questioned how the scheme will be funded and said there is a danger of creating a ‘white elephant across the Peak’.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Sue Burfoot, who represents Matlock, argued other solutions such as electric buses should be considered and she questioned claims there are currently no technical environmental planning or delivery constraints when you consider having to reopen Haddon Tunnel and when there are no details on how assets like the Monsal Trail could be enhanced.
Green Party Cllr Gez Kinsella said: “I do welcome the motion and I do think getting people out of their cars is really important, but whether this is the best way or not – I do not know.”
Fellow Green Party Cllr Lian Pizzey said he feels the scheme is something that should be looked into positively and he supported Cllr Smith’s motion to back the reinstatement of the railway line.
Independent Cllr Amy Wheelton, who also spoke on behalf of Derbyshire Independents Group Leader, Cllr Ruth George, said it is hard to get to the Peak District so people come by cars leaving residents struggling with parking.
She added that a rail route would also help people struggling to afford a car and those residents who may be considering leaving the area but may not wish to do so.
Cllr Wheelton said the scheme can deliver real improvements and opportunities for Derbyshire people and now EMCCA has responsibility for transport there is an opportunity to fight for the connectivity the county needs.
She added: “This rail line was taken from the people of Derbyshire. We need to make sure we get it back. It’s an excellent motion and the Independent Group will be supporting it.”
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.
Reform UK Cllr David Harvey said: “By reopening the Peak and Dales railway line we have an opportunity to re-write a great wrong and help the citizens of Derbyshire.”
He added that Reform is not always given credit for positive moves on the environment but he claimed this scheme will reduce the movement of vehicles and make roads safer and create opportunities for businesses and growth.
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.
Cllr Smith claims that today 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 raised concerns that surrounding areas including Derby, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Stockport and Stoke-on-Trent have experienced significant population growth which has also increased pressure on the National Park.
Cllr Smith 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.
Reopening the route would require the restoration of only 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.
Plans for stakeholder engagement and a statutory consultation are currently being considered under the project with proposals including the integration of trail networks like the Monsal and Tissington Trails and environmental enhancement.
Councillors voted by a majority for the council to support and advocate the reinstatement of the railway line and for the Cabinet to liaise with the Project Team as the council promotes awareness and engagement with the proposals among communities.
