The Churnet Valley are celebrating a £1.4m funding award that will enable the delivery of an extension into Leek.
The European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EARDF) has awarded £1,427,906.83 to the CVR for the Heritage Railway Infrastructure project to ‘Re-connect Leek’ to the rail network.
The funding will cover 80% of the cost of construction of just under one-mile of railway line and associated infrastructure from the present railhead to a new station off Barnfields Road; protecting the underground utilities; and providing a new footpath alongside the railway. It will also reconnect the former railway triangle at Leekbrook Junction creating the first original operational triangle offering three different destinations in UK Preservation.
The extension to Leek is just part of a wider proposals to extend the line – eventually passengers will be able to board the train at Oakamoor, with its new holiday village, and travel directly to Leek, via all stations in-between, enabling people to enjoy the countryside without the need to take their car every time.
Source: Churnet Valley Railway