Introduction

 

 

MEMRAP was established in 2019 on behalf of the Promoter, Peaks and Dales Railway.

 

Members and supporters include local stakeholders, local residents and businesses from areas served by or near to the railway, as well as potential users of the railway and interested parties. 

 

The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) have reported that around 90% of the 13.25 million annual visitors to the Park arrive by private car, with a representative of the Park stating this as being ‘unsustainable’

 

It is no surprise that traffic volumes, noise, parking and pollution remain significant issues for the National Park and the routes to, from and through the Park.  Note that the PDNPA figure doesn’t include all through traffic.

 

 

Strategic Context

 

Our proposals are being developed as  a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP); as defined in The Planning Act 2008.  This means our ‘submission(s)’ for the proposals are expected to be handled by the Planning Inspectorate, and that approval for the proposed reinstatement will ultimately be a decision made by the Secretary of State for Transport.

 

The reopening of the railway provides local, regional and national benefits.  Our 'strategic context' statement(s) highlights the benefits and includes:

 

  • improving passenger and freight connectivity between the North-West and East Midlands and beyond;

  • tackling the acknowledged “unsustainable” use of private vehicles to, from, through and within the Peak District National Park;

  • providing additional railway capacity lost as a result of the High Speed 2 Manchester Leg cancellation;

  • catalysing growth and tourism across the communities the line will serve;

  • supporting the decarbonisation of surface transport;

  • benefiting the environment by reducing a range of emmissions as well as investing in the natural enviroment of the National Park and surrounding areas;

  • increasing opportunities for access to social, education and employment opportunities within and outside the communities served by the line;

  • driving 'modal shift to rail' for passengers and freight;

  • reconnecting the communities isolated without the railway by delivering a sustainable, high capacity transport solution, fully integrated at stations with other modes of transport;

  • improving access to / from the National Park and regional centres for those that do not have, or choose not to have a car;

  • improving quality of life in local towns and villages by reducing road traffic, noise, air pollution and parking problems;

  • improving and speeding up longer distance travel compared with road alternatives.

 

 

 

Benefits of

Re-opening

 

Some of the identified benefits include:

 

  • re-connecting 150,000 residents including the 38,000 residents of the National Park itself;
  • re-linking local communities along the route;
  • acting as a catalyst for inward investment into the communities;
  • reinstating a ‘North West to East Midlands’ public transport connectivity spine;
  • integrated transport solutions at stations;
  • unlocking and enabling substantial modal shift to rail;
  • significantly improving accessibility;
  • significantly improving business, community and leisure travel;
  • shifting road freight to rail;
  • enhancing tourism with both heritage rail and rail excursion capacity;
  • delivering an enhanced network of trails and footpaths, integrated with other transport modes.

 

Funding

 

DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

 

We are currently an unfunded campaign, apart from membership subscriptions and donations - for all of which we are extremely grateful.

 

We have several third party organisations who are involved in supporting the campaign by giving us their precious time, skills, knowledge and experience when we need it, and at zero cost to the campaign.

 

Further information on how you can help can be found on the 'Supporting Us' page.

 

If you believe you could assist us further please use the ‘Contact Us’ form.

 

delivery FUNDING

 

These funds enable the physical reinstatement of the line, the necessary upgrades, plus the associated trails and other works

 

The Promoter has identified a number of organisations within the private sector who have expressed an interest in investing in the scheme subject to the necessary terms and conditions being agreed. 

 

This approach enables the delivery of the proposals to national safety and design standards at potentially lower total lifetime costs than the current Network Rail project delivery approach, affected, as it is, by amongst other things stop/start government policy making.

 

Campaign Status

 

 

dft assessment

 

The Department for Transport (DfT) have provided positive feedback regarding the proposals as part of the Restoring Your Railway Fund process.

 

Whilst we were not succesful in securing a financial contribution to our proposals, we were able to secure valuable feedback, guidance and, importantly support for continuing to develop our proposals.

 

Dft confirmed our proposals:

 

  • provide a strong case for levelling up;

  • demonstrate the positive impact the railway would have on the local and regional economy;

  • make a strong case for addressing known transport problems.

 

business case development

 

Better Value Rail (BVR) is the first feasibility study ahead of the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC).

 

BVR provides an opportunity for us to receive feedback on any gaps we may have in developing the SOBC, thereby ensuring the development of this key document is completed in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.

 

The BVR process, once completed satisfactorily, will also mean that we will be able to share more details of our proposals with interested and affected individuals and organisations, including our key stakeholders.