Call to reuse old rail lines

Call to reuse old rail lines

There are many disused industrial rail lines

A Nottinghamshire MP is calling for more investment to be made in the county's rail network.

Paddy Tipping, the MP for Sherwood says this part of the transport system is falling behind the rest of the country.

He says more use needs to be made of existing lines.

Compared to other big cities like Manchester and Birmingham the county has fewer local services.

Suggestions already being considered include new stations at Gedling and Ilkeston.

Money available

Mr Tipping said there was great deal of potential in the area to upgrade old and disused rail lines.

He told BBC Radio Nottingham improvements need to be made: "If you look around Nottinghamshire there are a lot of what I call mineral rail lines.

"These are disused coal lines and I think they have tremendous potential.

"A good example is the old Gedling colliery site. There is still a line there and this could be used as a park ad ride and a quick way into the town.

"I think we could do more and the government is keen to do more and it has some money to spend."