Government Backing To Re-Open Railway

The Transport Secretary says he is ‘very supportive’ of re-opening the railway line from Market Harborough to Northampton.

It was revealed earlier this month the idea is being looked into and Network Rail is now carrying out a ‘high-level feasibility’ study to see if there would be a business case for re-instating the route,

Passenger services were first withdrawn in 1960 and the 14-mile line finally shut in 1981, with it being converted into the Brampton Valley Way for walkers and cyclists.

Grant Shapps responded to a question from Northampton South MP Andrew Lewer in the House of Commons:

A Network Rail spokesman told Hfm: “We are carrying out a high-level feasibility study on the route to inform funders where there may be a potential business case for re-instating the route, as part of England’s Economic Heartland’s wider transport strategy.”