Doubt cast over plan to reopen line to passengers

The Barrow Hill rail line has been used as a freight line since the 1960's

Plans to reopen a rail line between Sheffield and Chesterfield have been put on hold after the government announced a spending review of all infrastructure plans.

The proposal to restore passenger services on the Barrow Hill freight line was put forward following the launch of the £500m Restoring Your Railway programme.

However, those plans have been put in doubt by the recently announced review, as the government looks to plug a £22bn gap in public finances.

Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said it was "disappointing" the programme had been cancelled but said the Barrow Hill Line was "never a done deal".

The launch of the Restoring Your Railway in 2020 attracted more than160 applications, with the Barrow Hill line scheme one of about 20 to gain government approval.

The plans included reopening five stations along the route at Whittington, Barrow Hill & Staveley, Eckington & Renishaw, Killamarsh and Beighton, with the long-term aim of joining up with a new Sheffield Victoria station.

It was hoped reopening the line would help regenerate communities in areas of North Derbyshire which had limited access to public transport.

After Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the spending review, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: "Communities up and down the country have been given hope for new transport infrastructure, with no plans or funds to deliver them.

"In recent weeks, the gap between promised schemes and the money available to deliver them has been made clear to me."

Reacting to the news, Howard Borrell, chair of Chesterfield District Civic Society, said the government would be “foolish” to scrap the Barrow Hill plans.

“Surely Labour wants to prove to people that live in these areas that they haven’t been forgotten. They can’t disregard the hard work done to draw up these plans," he said.

Meanwhile, Tracy Viner, from the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce called on the government to appreciate the importance of "infrastructure investment".

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