WESTERN
Barnstaple: The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway signal box that once stood at Town station is to be transferred to the narrow-gauge line at Blackmoor Gate. It has been in private ownership since it closed in 1935.
Grove: Oxfordshire County Council has passed a resolution supporting a new station to serve nearby Wantage, and will fund an outline business case. Another for reinstating part of the former Witney line has been completed, with a positive result.
Midsomer Norton: The Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust has purchased a 750-yard length of trackbed, but it can only be used after infill has been removed from the cutting leading to Chilcompton Tunnel. This land also has tenants.
EASTERN
Alnwick: The Aln Valley Railway has applied for planning permission to enlarge its carriage and wagon workshops at Lionheart.
Darlington: The Railway Tavern, dating to 1826 or 1827 and believed to be one of the world’s earliest railway public houses, has been given Grade 2 Listed status by Historic England. It is one of nine aspects of the Stockton & Darlington Railway to be recognised this year. Others include the wall of an old coal yard and earthworks in Stockton, and inclines at Etherley and Brussellton near Bishop Auckland.
Doncaster: LNER has installed the UK’s first departure screens to feature British sign language at the station.
Selby: The railway bridge over the A162 London Road is being replaced.
MIDLANDS
Stafford: The Station Gateway project has been awarded £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for 900 homes, businesses, and a 350-space multi-storey car park. They will be constructed on empty land around the railway.
Stourbridge: Pre Metro Operations Limited, operator of the Stourbridge Junction service, has begun a fresh public consultation of the proposed ‘Dasher’ to Brierley Hill.
NORTH WEST
Buxton: A community-led project has been announced to run a tram-style service to the start of the Monsal Trail and to reinstate Blackwell Mill station. The proposal for the five-mile line, which could be extended to the Dowlow quarry line to give access to the High Peak and Tissington Trails, has had an encouraging response from Network Rail, Northern, the Peak District National Park, and Tarmac.
Fleetwood: The plan for a tram museum at Wyre Dock has finally been abandoned. with the remaining stored Blackpool vehicles remove
