Nottinghamshire Railway Project Gains Momentum
With the planning permission in place, the project is on track to achieve its goal of reconnecting the railway line, creating a seamless 18-mile journey through the countryside of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, and offering a glimpse into the region's fascinating past.
The Great Central Railway Reunification Project has been granted planning permission by Charnwood Borough Council, paving the way for the construction of 500 meters of new line to connect two separate sections of the railway in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
The project, which aims to rebuild a link demolished in the 1960s, has already seen three parts constructed with funds donated by well-wishers worldwide. The £2.5m raised so far will be used to continue work, including a ground investigation survey costing nearly £250,000. The project's General Manager, Malcolm Holmes, thanked the council and volunteers for their efforts, stating that the project is now "masters of our own destiny."
The completed project will create an 18-mile long railway, telling the stories of Britain's railways from the Victorian era to the 1960s, and is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the area. Volunteers working on the Great Central Railway (GCR) line between Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire have won planning permission to build a new viaduct, marking a significant step in reconnecting the line between the two counties.
The GCR was a Victorian high-speed railway that opened in 1899 and was partially closed during the Beeching cuts in the 1960s. The project has raised £5m, with £2.5m still in the bank, and plans to link the line to other parts of the country, allowing trains to travel from different parts of the country. The next stage of work is the ground survey plan, which will start in July, and the project hopes to begin building again next year.
The successful reunification of the Great Central Railway will not only preserve a significant part of Britain's railway history but also contribute to the local economy and provide a unique tourist attraction, showcasing the region's rich heritage and natural beauty.