Plan for electric vehicles on Peak District railway

A battery-powered light rail vehicle would be the proposed form of transport

A community group is campaigning to provide a rail link between tourist beauty spots in the Peak District.

The battery-powered vehicle plan is proposed to run on a freight track from Buxton to popular walking and cycling trails in the area.

The Buxton Town Team wants an electric rail service to the Monsal Trail, before seeing if it is possible for the Tissington Trail.

A feasibility study is expected to cost more than £100,000, they say, and would need to be done before the plans can progress any further.

Roads around the trails are often busy and dangerous for cyclists, says Andy Parker

Andy Parker from the Buxton Town Team said: "It is so positive from so many points of view.

"Environmentally, this is the way forward."

He added: "We want to get people out of cars and get them walking and cycling (on these trails)."

The Monsal Trail runs from Bakewell to Blackwell Mill, which is near Topley Pike Quarry.

The Buxton Town Team wants to get a rail service to the Monsal Trail before seeing if it is possible for the Tissington Trail.

It has been getting advice from Network Rail on signalling and when it would be possible for these electric vehicles to run.

But, the feasibility study needs to be done before the plans can progress any further.

Group member Tina Heathcote thinks the idea "would be brilliant"

Tina Heathcote from the Buxton Town Team said it would be hard to raise the amount needed for the study, but it would be money well spent.

Mrs Heathcote said her group had surveyed Buxton residents a few years ago and about three-quarters of those who took part said they wanted easier ways of getting out into the countryside from the town.

Dog walker Hannah Bills from Buxton backs the proposal

Hannah Bills, from Buxton, walks her dogs on the Tissington Trail and is in favour of the plans.

She said: "I think it would be really handy given there are a lot of people who would like to walk here who don't have the opportunity because they don't have a car, and it is pretty treacherous to try and walk here on foot."