Where we are at... and where we wish a sense of direction of travel was heading!

 re: https://eurotraffic.net/2026/06/26/do-new-roads-reduce-congestion-uk-dft-review/

Lower Thames Crossing costing £billions, BRTA says it should be a rail-based solution project and nationwide we need a programme of incremental local rail reopenings, select pieces of rail new-build and existing rail capacity enhancement schemes. 

That gives modal choice, lowers emissions, prevents ill-health, saves land, blight, congestion and delay and lowers costs aggregately including wear and tear maintenance costs too. 

Our country has been going the wrong way for decades and needs to turn back to local rail solutions more as part of the mix, reach and range transport, mobility choices, access and all-year-round sustainable footfall and spend regenerating people, places, the environment and opening more opportunities for all, not just the affluent.

In Northampton, a central location for England, bereft of radial rail links, the lesson is ever keenly felt of the bad legacy the closures informed subsequently. 

If we do not re-rail, more roads and upgrades with all their detrimental effects compound with development for a hellish scenario playing out. It is time for the government to stop, think and switch funding from roads to local rail solutions more.

There's jobs, associated industry supply benefits, innovation, research and enabling more in it if the government does support local rail solutions on and off the rails. 

So what is stopping it? Not new money per se, but switching in a national environmental crisis of perfect storm contextuals home and abroad. 

We are far too dependent on fossil fuels, overseas for oil and fertilisers and need to switch to renewables like tidal power, desalination plants for farm water, a national water grid and on-shore wind, on-roofs solar panelling and storage of energy - battery trains are a reality now! 

A programme of electrification could help provide easier renewal of existing rolling stock supply and cascade stock accordingly to strengthen existing trains (cut over crowding) and enable more. 

For example, if Bedford-Bletchley was electrified and double track throughout now, passenger and freight between Watford and Corby exploiting the end-to-end of the Bedford-Bletchley railway could enable a lot more by rail and quicker services with a reputation for capacity, not breakdowns (!) will commend more to try rail, than hit the roads.

Please email your MP in support of BRTA: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1 and join BRTA - every member makes a real difference: https://brtarail.com/become-a-member/

Please also diary our Leicester Public Meeting and share with others: 

Bruce Wakley of CRIL (link to campaigns page) A Guest Speaker at the BRTA Leicester Public Meeting:

“Connecting Burton to Leicester by rail – the Ivanhoe Line” 

2pm Saturday 3rd October 2026

Leicester Quaker Meeting House, 16 Queens Road, Leicester LE2 1WP 0116 270 5003

All Welcomer, Free Admission, Mini Book Stall available including old railway magazines!

Thank you.

Devon rail links -if the case can exist fine, if not, prioritise.

 Simon Barber has sent a report of last Saturday's Forum in Exeter (8th August) as follows:

"

Bere Alston-Tavistock-Okehampton: The Bere Alston to Tavistock section launched a petition last month from the volunteers of Tavy Rail (website https://tavyrail.2day.uk/) to re-open Tavistock initially.This will eventually go on Whats App facebook (www.Change.org); the chief supporter of the Tavy Rail project is Colin Coleman. Meanwhile Jonathan got a reply from the Dept.Transport to stop sending them repeated requests, and Devon County Council must complete business case without further delays.However Luke Pollard (MP Plymouth Sutton & Devonport) supports the case since there are more housing developments in or around Tavistock - Luke also supports the Plymouth Devonport Dockyard railway line which closed some 50 years ago.

Barnstaple-Bideford: Network Rail received a boost for £10,000 in conjunction with the Northern Devon Rail Development Partnership to improve the Exeter-Barnstaple Line (Tarka Line).  The Northern Devon Rail Development Partnership is also looking at extending the current Tarka line from Barnstaple back into Bideford, with a half-hourly service and other improvements to produce the economic benefits by 2040.  The proposal to re-establish the old railway line between Barnstaple and Bideford, although not necessarily a replica of the former route, would be a huge advantage for locals and tourists alike.

Barnstaple-Taunton: The original route via South Molton and Dulverton now seems unlikely. However, a west-to-north curve at Cowley Bridge Junction to connect the Tarka Line and the West of England Main Line is more feasible and a cheaper option, and this will connect the new Cullompton Station on the latter line.

Barnstaple-Ilfracombe: The line is built over at the centre of Braunton.

Okehampton-Bude/Launceston: This project is to detour Holsworthy. There should be a station at Lydford, which is close to the National Trust's Lydford Gorge. Cornwall County Council are looking into this, with tunnels/bridges needed. Meanwhile Ben Maguire (MP North Cornwall) will shortly be meeting Lord Hendy to discuss plans.

Teign Valley Railway: That line is still largely intact. Chudleigh Station is close to the A38 with a bridge over the line. The route would have run from Newton Abbot to Exeter St.Thomas.

Seaton: The Seaton branch is only 5 miles away from the South West Main Line at the former station of Seaton Junction, between Axminster and Honiton. The line could rejoin fields to access the Tramway stop as a modal shift to road to rail.

South West Main LIne (Exeter-Salisbury): That line should be double-tracked and also Chard Junction Station should be reopened. At the same time Cranbrook Station lies to the north of Exeter Airport and there should be a short rail link to connect the airport. Meanwhile the dry weather had caused the trackbed to become unstable due to soil moisture deficit."

CEO Response: Thanks for this report. You did not do the date of the next Forum, so new people can have a chance to attend? We need marketing officers to help generate more people to feed our forums and public meetings please.

On Taunton-Barnstaple:

In terms of Taunton-Barnstaple, the route needs protection with deviation lands, it needs studying to build the case and it needs wider support notionally, and then to accept 60 years after the main closures, blockages will have happened. But if the case is robust and the need agreed for the railway, it should take precedence and relocations, relocation packages and demolitions may be required in some cases as per elsewhere around the country.

Taunton to Barnstaple would:

1. Help revitalise and regenerate North Devon, there are pockets of poverty, deprivation and a lack of all-year-round jobs.

2. It would make #London-North Devon direct travel quicker and vice versa to #Bristol for further afield travel both ways.

3. It may generate more freight by rail, if the A361 has to be upgraded, there is obviously a case and a demand and surely the railway could lower that and offer a quicker transit end-to-end?

If you agree, please email your local MP: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1 and Join BRTA - every member helps make a difference: https://brtarail.com/become-a-member/

Details of next forums are to be put on out website events page - so keep it at hand!

We can all play our part. Working with BRTA, helps make that more real.

Bideford, Tavistock and links fine, keep at it, but apart from the South West Main Line which needs upgrading and investment, the other places you mention do need case making, studies, route protection and so have you registered us with Devon-based voluntary bureaus for more volunteers to study and build credible cases for these things? This is what every project needs, not a blank cheque prescription along the views of 'every railway line and station must be rebuilt' when credibly we need to qualify such views and accept compromise in some cases where more tracks for more trains if the case is substantiated, or a station if it will address growing developments and fit into a timetable. My advice is foster volunteers, do a repeat forum, marketing it widely and delegate roles to reliable new people and the model repeats x nationwide. 60 years after the main closures and their legacies, tough and pragmatic decisions will have to be taken, but going into Exeter and out to North Devon from the East is a time delay and makes roads more competitive if they are more direct. Let the railway network catch up!

Join BRTA! https://brtarail.com/southwest/

Press Release 07-08-2026 Northampton-Bedford rail link Must Not Be Left Behind as Minister Rules Out Direct East West Rail Services!

 Press Release 07-08-2026

Northampton-Bedford rail link  Must Not Be Left Behind as Minister Rules Out Direct East West Rail Services!

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) has revealed that direct East West Rail services to Northampton are "not currently planned despite representations made by Northampton South MP Mike Reader.

In a letter from Rail Minister Lord Hendy, released following a Freedom of Information request,
the Government confirms that Northampton passengers will instead be expected to access East West Rail through connections at Milton Keynes Central and Bletchley.
The Minister's response comes as the Government commits £1.3 billion of transport and supporting infrastructure investment linked to the Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire, a development expected to attract around 8.5 million visitors in its first year when it
opens in 2031. 

The project is also forecast to contribute almost £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.
The BRTA believes that securing direct rail connectivity between Northampton and destinations
served by East West Rail should now become Northamptonshire's number one strategic
transport objective.
Professor Andrew N. Williams, BRTA Northamptonshire Representative, said:
"While Lord Hendy acknowledges the importance of East West Rail, his response fails to answer the fundamental questions raised by Mike Reader MP in the House of Commons.

The letter contains no assessment of the potential demand for direct Northampton services, no analysis of the economic benefits such services could bring, and no explanation of why passengers from one of England's largest towns should be expected to change trains while
major new transport investment is being directed elsewhere.

This represents a once-in-a-century opportunity for Northamptonshire. The Universal United
Kingdom Resort, East West Rail and the wider Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor have the potential to reshape economic activity across the region for decades to come.
Northampton cannot be expected to watch from the platform while billions of pounds of investment pass through neighbouring counties.

Direct connectivity with East West Rail should now be Northamptonshire's foremost transport priority." 
Richard Pill, Chief Executive of the BRTA, added:

"Lord Hendy's letter offers Northampton little reassurance.
Ministers rightly argue that East West Rail is intended to unlock economic growth across the region, yet Northampton currently remains outside plans for direct services.

If the Government is prepared to invest £1.3 billion in transport infrastructure to support the Universal United Kingdom Resort, it is entirely reasonable for Northamptonshire to expect a proper assessment of direct rail connectivity to one of the most significant economic and tourism developments in modern Britain.

The case for direct Northampton services should be evaluated through transparent analysis of
demand, economic benefits and operational feasibility. Decisions of this importance should be
based on evidence, not assumptions.
The people of Northamptonshire will rightly expect all elected representatives, regardless of
party, to work together to secure the county's fair share of the opportunities arising from East West Rail and the Universal United Kingdom Resort."

The BRTA is therefore calling on the Department for Transport, East West Rail Company, local
authorities and Northamptonshire's Members of Parliament to work together to commission and
publish detailed studies into the economic, transport and tourism benefits of direct Northampton
services before future service patterns are finalised.

The Association further believes that Northamptonshire should develop a unified strategy for securing direct access to East West Rail destinations, ensuring that the county is fully connected to the opportunities arising from the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the Universal United Kingdom Resort.

Northamptonshire has a narrow window in which to secure its place within the emerging Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. The BRTA believes that failure to examine the case for direct East West Rail services would represent a missed opportunity of historic proportions for the county.

Notes to Editors
 East West Rail will provide a new strategic railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford
and Cambridge.
 The Universal United Kingdom Resort is planned to open in 2031 and is expected to
attract approximately 8.5 million visitors in its first year
 The Government has announced £1.3 billion of transport and supporting infrastructure
investment associated with the Bedfordshire development.
 The project is forecast to contribute almost £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.
The BRTA is an independent voluntary organisation campaigning for improved public transport
and strategic rail development throughout the United Kingdom.

Ends"

Further comment: Professor Andrew N. Williams BRTA Northampton Area Rep 07923 489254 or Richard Pill (BRTA CEO) ceo@brtarail.com

Website: https://brtarail.com/our-campaigns/

https://www.facebook.com/BRTARichardPill

Email for letter. ceo@brtarail.com

BRTA Press Release 11-06-2026 Keep radial rail links and stations options 'open' call

re: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/politics/transport-group-backs-call-for-northampton-to-be-included-in-east-west-rail-plans-8756818

BRTA has sown the seeds and rekindled the fire!

Now our leaders must lead and usher in the more complete rail picture.

I wonder what our new Prime Minister will do and who will be the new Transport Secretary or Minister in any reshuffle, let alone the Chancellor!

BRTA must come together and work behind the scenes to be tactful and supportive, ushering our leaders to seize this once and probably last chance saloon.

Please let me have any feedback and if you support our calls, please as ever, email your MP in support of this and similar reopenings across these nations!

https://brtarail.com/b2n/

https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

ceo@brtarail.com

https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/politics/direct-rail-link-between-northampton-and-new-universal-theme-park-near-bedford-is-needed-says-mp-8674135

BRTA Press Release 11-06-2026  Keep radial rail links and stations

options 'open' call

re: Mike Reader MP for Northampton South calls for reopening the

Bedford-Northampton rail link.

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) welcomes Mike Reader

MP's support and lead on the rail link project and his representation

to Lord Hendy the Minister for Rail.

The line was a secondary route and was underplayed from the post war

period to closure, but studies showed in the 21st century, that a

rebuild with select 'new build' would serve a new purpose for both

passenger and freight by rail and would be viable, offering modal

choice not currently available.

BRTA has called for retention of land north of Bromham Bedford, to

enable the rail link to link with Bedford Midland and the emergent

East-West Rail Link (Oxford-Bedford-Cambridge) and that 93 dwellings

can go anywhere, not located on greenbelt off a cul de sac!

We welcome West Northamptonshire Council's interest in reopening local

rail links and would welcome their support for an updated study for a

new Northampton-Bedford rail link. We call for collaboration and

cooperation between all councils, agencies and developments like

Universal Theme Park as better connectivity and modal choices by rail

enables less side-effects of mega traffic flows on the roads, reduced

congestion if rail can help deliver the volumes of people sustainably.

It is envisaged a Thameslink style modern electric train can transit

between Northampton and Bedford in about 30 minutes and that would be

competitive by road. It would save land as without the rail link, not

only would a large population like Northampton be disenfranchised, but

also means less parking land would be devoured as a result of

reopening the rail link, giving better access.

BRTA CEO Richard Pill said "Although the 11th hour in route protection

terms at both ends, the robust case and obvious demand for more and

better rail links radial from Bedford and the link with Northampton,

means the government should ensure the viability and engineering of a

new railway can be achieved in the short to medium term. The A428

corridor is growing in piecemeal development terms and these need

tailoring to ensure a viable route can be practically implemented. If

it does, footfall and spending minus the congestion is likely,

boosting businesses and service as well as all ages mobility."

BRTA will continue to follow these positive leads and very much hopes

everyone in positions of power and responsibility will collaborate for

a once in a lifetime opportunity this rail link offers to boost

Bedford and Northampton economies without costing the earth!

Currently there is a 21.5 mile gap in the rail network between Bedford

and Northampton, two main lines, one of which links Brighton, London

and 2 airports with Bedford and another which links Northampton with

Coventry and Birmingham and other radial lines. In short, this

relatively short rail link would, with East-West Rail, inform many

more opportunities on and off the rails.

End of Press Release

Further comment: Richard Pill ceo@brtarail.com  (Bedford) and Professor

Andrew N. Williams 07923 489254 (Northampton)

Could the old sheds at Wolverton Works serve a modern railway and preservation learning purpose?

re: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2026/06/national-railway-museum-central-hall-project-receives-3m-in-funding.html

There's York, Shildon and Swindon, could Wolverton join the family of rail static display, shelter for heritage clutter rotting and lost for want of TLC, rolling stock repairs capacity and space, college and research library centre and attracting visitors on a nationwide basis to the area, including by rail? If that is your vision, the government finds money for such and with solar panels on the roof, can a team be created to research, apply for funding and put a plan together with professional support and input please?

BRTA is small and has no money. But we support the idea, Wolverton has a proud railway history, Milton Keynes (Bletchley) likewise and former London North Western Railway (LNWR) designs and college courses, skill retention and certification courses could all be under one roof. 

It needs a vision, a team, incremental funding and growth to fullest potential.

The Universal Theme Park, a ride away by rail from Bletchley will attract 55, 000 people per month and create 26, 000 new jobs. So many more are coming to and from and the Railway Centre at Wolverton would complement that and capitalise on such a regional influx of people, service spend and wider area boost?

May I ask your views and maybe meet with Simon and others to explore it further and what can be done now, then and medium term to bring it about/court the government's attention? ceo@brtarail.com

BRTA supports reopening a Gloucester-Hereford rail link via Ross on Wye

 I attach an agenda for our forth-coming forum which is open to all, so all welcome.

BRTA supports calls for a study into the case merits, feasibility and engineering solutions for reopening a Gloucester-Ross-on-Wye-Hereford direct rail link.

Whatever the merits of the past, the rail link offers:

1. Sustainable footfall and spend to the places it would service.

2. Less road traffic, road and bridge wear and tear/maintenance costs and land-use parking demand outsripping supply, land which could be used for more productive things like employment, conservation and social housing for example.

3. Make managing increasing demand and visorship more manageable and accessible for all, not just car-dependency and prince managed.

4. The direct link with Gloucester and Hereford would benefit both places and all in between with new flows of spend and trade, sustaining small-medium businesses and employment.

5. Cut congestion through choice and land-lost to road upgrades and motorway-isation. The spin-offs of road reliance is oil and rubber particle run-offs to rivers and streams, harming wildlife and places for swimming and water extraction.

6. It is likely also, people will recognise that being linked at both ends to a wider nationwide rail network, opens up to increased and dyverse reaches and ranges of audiences to better appreciate what the areas it would serve have to offer all-year-round, not just seasonally.

7. More comprehensive rail links help to offer the potential for more freight by rail, from timber to containers, but rail islaso bursting at the seams trying to get back into smaller goods like parcels and smaller inter-model trainloads as well. How about incentives for Amazon and Royal Mail to send parcels by rail more and a drop-off/collect point at every station? These are just what the environment needs and would boost the public too. See an example: https://www.varamis.co.uk/ We need these models to be made nationwide and re-opening local rail links enables more choice, access and mobility for all alongside innovation with government incentives and encouragement for the environment's sake.

Please give us your support. You can find out more on our website: https://brtarail.com/our-campaigns/

Saturday, 25 July at 2pm lunch and 3-5pm business at The Regal, 33 St Aldate Street, Kings Square, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 1RP (Phone 01452-332344). Convenor Simon Barber: admin@brtarail.com Phone (landline): 020-8940-4399 Phone (mobile): 07522-374740

Agenda

1.              Election of a Chairperson for the meeting

2.              Appointment of a notes/minute taker.

3.  River Severn Estuary Bridge: More capacity by rail is needed for passenger and freight by rail between England and Wales and vice versa.

4.  Gloucester-Ross-Hereford: Bring on the study, but some relocation packages may be needed and engineering solutions found.

5.  Kemble-Cirencester: Cirencester (population: 20, 229 – 2021 Census): Is the route blocked? Is there deviation spaces? Can a new route be sorted? Where would services run from or to?

6.  Stratford – Honeybourne-Cheltenham: Warwickshire not playing ball with road over rail route, but can change prevail, ditton the Cheltenham end running via a new route to link with existing Network Rail Lines?

7.  Cotswold Line (Oxford-Worcester-Hereford): Has a RUG Group already. Is it double track throughout and what of Witney and Carterton getting a new-build rail link?

8.  Bristol Metro: Happening already.

9.  Any Other Business

10.             Date, time and place of next meeting – Hereford?

Notes:

Please check our website: https://brtarail.com/events/

Best ways to support is:

1.  Join BRTA

2.  Join our free email loop via richard.erta@gmail.com

3. Email your MP and get them on board: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

4.  Email your local media in favour of the reopening and state some reasons why. richard.erta@gmail.com

The local-regional queue for rail reopenings, select new-builds and existing pinch point upgrades.

re: https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/politics/council/derbyshire-council-backs-peak-district-railway-plan-despite-fears-for-monsal-trail-8646444

This rail reopening would link East Midlands and North West (Derby and Manchester) and vice versa. That is sustainable footfall, spend and regeneration. It has been a long running campaign which BRTA supported before, during and now going forward too. 

The main driving force is: https://www.peaksanddalesrailway.com/

Please email your MP in support: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

Some may ask why? This railway, like Colne-Skipton: https://www.selrap.org.uk/ has turned a corner whereby they have successfully courted local authority support and a study has been done showing the case to be robust for reopenings. 

These two are candidates along with Witney in Oxfordshire and one or two others for government consideration. 

In Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire we have not been so lucky. Even if you get as far as the Peak Rail Project has to restore the through rail line, objections to possible re-routing of the Monsal Trail to accommodate a railway and government which can turn around as per Witney and say "no money"; means the queue of qualifiers grows, whilst lesser successes are subject to attack of cynical dismissal, no case jibes and other development agendas which are not being made to consider protecting rail corridors let alone including rail to reduce the impact of sprawling developments on the road system, neighbourhoods, pollution and deteriorating public health and environmental effects.

BRTA plays a role and we are growing. But the wider public need to tell politicians that in many cases we want our tracks and trains back and that it makes sense for modal shift planning back from a roads-based economy to rail, or at least a level playing field and a robust rail network for people and goods than we currently have and which these  local-regional reopenings can engender.

The Peak District National Park would be served by this rail artery, cutting encroachments on grass verges and the sheer intrusion on the environment mass motoring and traffic/tourism and over-kill can inform. 

Someone has to clean up and the land used for parking spaces is land which cannot be used for other things like employment, social housing and conservation for example.

The government says it has no money, it is busy renationalising the railways, but privatising the roads it seems? It is prioritising HS2 as 'part of the railway' to the tune of £1 billion per mile and delivery 2039. 

BRTA also notes the government is spending £billions on new and upgraded roads, whilst saying no money for local-regional rail reopenings. It cancelled the Restore Your Railway Fund, specific funding for reopenings, now the agenda is being suffocated amidst many other demands and what would it take for a specific fund for reopenings to be brought back in some shape for form? £500 million for the whole nation is inadequate, but the principle of a specific, targeted fund, is a much needed one to help usher schemes along towards approval.

East-West Rail (Oxford-Bedford-Cambridge) celebrates the 40th anniversary of the launch of a public meeting to get Oxford-Milton Keynes reopened (December 1986), when the tracks just needed upgrading and progressively as more services and freight used it. Alas it was mothballed and allowed to rot, decades demanding continuous studies and under Labour and Tory, not delivery! Now at £billions Bicester-Bletchley is 'open' as a spankingly brand new built railway, but no passenger services. There seems no rush for the Secretary of State for Transport to wade in and try and reach a deal between management and unions. This, unlike the NHS Doctors Striking and Government engaging to try and stop them?! 

The danger is that 'stable government', can also need speeding up, a failure to deliver, can mean drift and paralysis and there are urgent needs including lowering emissions and providing cleaner public transport choices at affordable prices. Whether public or private delivers, the jury may be out, but meanwhile we need a pragmatic system and lead from governments of all tiers to move towards more rail reopenings and reinstatements the length and breadth of Britain. 

It is no use complaining and providing jobs, if the transport is not there at accessible rates, to enable young people to engage. Local rail enables more and reduces the effects of congestion, delays and spiralling costs of wasted time and delusions. The railways were a bedrock of employment on and off the rails and informs skills which can be used in a variety of fields. 

Conductors on trains (formerly Guards) are not a 'waste' they can provide information, sell tickets, ensure the smooth operation of the services provided and act as front-line people to deter problems or raise the alarm when something is awry. richard.erta@gmail.com https://brtarail.com/events/