£1 million needed to keep Robin Hood Line plans on track

Council leaders are eager to keep plans for re-opening a stretch of the Robin Hood Line on course, despite being told a further £1 million is needed for the remaining development work.

A report by Network Rail to Nottinghamshire County Council outlines the need for the cash injection, and the council says no source for the funding has been identified as of yet.

The railway is owned by Network Rail and work has to be done to the company’s national standards, which needs to be paid for.

The council says the project will require capital investment and the operating cost subsidy as well, both of which are substantial.

But council leader Alan Rhodes is determined to keep the ambitious plans on track.

“We are campaigning hard to make the extension to the Robin Hood Line a reality as it is a fantastic opportunity for jobs, the economy and tourism in this area of Nottinghamshire.

“The council county has paid for all the work so far related to this project - every single piece of it - that has been undertaken in trying to develop this scheme, amounting so far to nearly £200,000.

“We have invested money to be able to demonstrate that it is an achievable project and that it is deliverable, including a business plan and feasibility study.

“It is an exciting and ambitious plan that brings a lot of opportunity for this area of the county, and we have also made a bid for an Enterprise Zone.

“We have again written to the Government and now need them to invest in this project.

“We are getting there with this project and working together with all our partners we can bring this project to fruition.”

If the plans eventually come to fruition, a stretch of existing line will be re-opened and include stops at Warsop, Ollerton and Edwinstowe.