Rail campaigners demand rail link to eco town
Mar 23 2009 by Patrice John, Birmingham Post
Campaigners are calling on the Government to re-open rail links at the site of a proposed eco town in Warwickshire.
Rail Future submitted a four-page document in response to the consultation into the Middle Quinton eco town development.
The planned scheme is situated six miles from Stratford-upon-Avon and campaigners say a direct link to the town would be great for tourism.
Developers St Modwen and the Bird Group have advocated increased links to nearby Stratford but have so far proposed a guided bus as one alternative to rail.
Alan Bevan, from the West Midlands branch, said: “We think the missing rail link south of Stratford should be re-opened if this scheme gets the go ahead.
“It would benefit Stratford and it would also provide a useful link in the whole rail network by allowing trains in the south to come to the area while still easing capacity. It could bring some useful new services and help commuters.
“But what we are concerned about is the guided bus proposal as it would obstruct any potential for putting down railway tracks.”
St Modwen and the Bird Group have lodged proposals to build a 6,000 home eco town in Warwickshire, near to Long Marston. The site, known as Middle Quinton, already has 44 miles of railway track on site.
The developers hope to divide the site into five walkable neighbourhoods and to limit the amount of car use on site.
One proposal is for a guided bus service which would run on concrete tracks and reconnect the site to Honeybourne.
Guided buses are buses steered for part or all of their route by external means, usually on a dedicated track.
This track, which often parallels existing roads, excludes all other traffic, permitting the maintenance of reliable schedules on heavily used corridors even during rush hours.
Rail Future have said this is a bad idea but the developers have claimed the guided bus is only one idea, and they are in favour of rail lines being opened if at all possible.
