A proposal to reinstate a former Peak District railway line along what is now a popular cycling and walking trail has once again been rejected by local authorities, who have argued that any benefits derived from converting the Monsal Trail back into a reconstituted ‘Peak and Dales line’ would be “far outweighed by the significant adverse economic and environmental impact” of such a decision.
MEMRAP believes reopening the rail connection will “reconnect isolated communities, provide additional capacity for both passenger and freight national railway network and help Derbyshire to meet its carbon emissions targets.” “If it is done very sympathetically with the Monsal Trail I don't see why it couldn’t benefit everybody,” MEMRAP’s Neil Johnson“With commerce, industry, tourism and connectivity all high on the agenda the innumerable benefits are obvious.”
“These tests are: 1. Need: Is there a strategic need and is that need in the national interest? 2. Impact: Can an equally convenient and acceptable provision of the Monsal Trail be provided elsewhere that is of a similar quality and without having an unacceptable impact on the high-quality landscape and environment through which it passes?
A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council also told the Telegraph that the local authority is “an active supporter of rail transport and over the years has been heavily involved in opening new lines and stations in the county.