Alicia Kearns MP has today launched a survey of residents on rail provision in Rutland.
She said: “When I was elected I promised to improve our local transport networks. I’m prioritising making the A1 safer, and supporting more local cycling infrastructure, but I also want to improve our local train services.
“In Rutland I’m supporting an application for a feasibility study by the Department of Transport into whether a station at Luffenham, or nearby, could be rebuilt to better connect Rutlanders to Stamford and Peterborough, Kettering and Corby. I’m co-sponsoring this with three of our neighbouring MPs. It would better connect 400,000 people and enormously improve our connectivity and public transport options locally.
“A feasibility study will assess whether the demand is there, whether this is a viable route, and where an additional station would best be located in Rutland, and where the line would best travel to suit our communities. Whilst most of the infrastructure is already in place, three-and-a-half miles of new track would need to be laid between Seaton and Luffenham so we need to look carefully at whether this is the right infrastructure, and the right location, for Rutland.
“No decisions have been made, but it is absolutely right that we investigate this possibility and understand whether Rutlanders want to see the return of an additional train station. Once the feasibility has been assessed we will better understand if the new line is possible, and whether it would work for us in Rutland. At that point, hearing from residents will be very important as we will have granular detail that we can all consider and review. However, I’m very keen to hear residents’ views, even at this early stage, so I would ask that you please fill in the survey on my website here, and I will provide the findings of the feasibility study as soon as it’s completed.”
The Government has launched a Reverse Beeching Rail Programme, to look at re-opening closed railway lines. The feasibility study would be conducted under this programme, although it is understood currently that this does not mean that the final route needs to follow the same path as the line previously did, nor that the station is required to be in the exact same location.
Residents can complete the survey on Alicia’s website: https://www.aliciakearns.com/form/luffenham-rail-station-survey
