End Of The Line? Rail Campaign Group To Stage Protest

Members of the Minsters’ Rail Campaign are preparing to stage a protest as they look to make their views heard by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

On Wednesday 8th January East Riding of Yorkshire Council will potentially look remove protection from a number of sites that in turn could have a huge impact of the economic growth of our region.

Chairman of Minsters’ Rail Campaign George McManus told HU17.net;

“The key element is that if they this all goes through it will take away the rail route.”

Some of the towns and neighbouring villages to Beverley could be left isolated with hopes of reconnecting them to national rail network being made more difficult if land is no longer protected.

George added;

“Towns like Bridlington would see an increase in visitors, as one of the East Riding’s more challenging areas it would be a much needed boost. A direct link onto the national work has the potential to bring in tens of thousands of visitors each year.”

Pocklington, Market Weighton and Stamford Bridge would be among the bigger losers if the land is unprotected with developers lining up to build commercial and residential on the various sites.

“Two plots of land in Stamford Bridge are on the list to have their protection removed. If this was to happen then it would mean their being little chance of having a train station in the village to serve the 3000 people who live there.”

George said;

“Other parts of the country including Scotland, Oxford and Sussex are already leading the way with getting their rail infrastructure back on track.”

“A direct rail link to York via Beverley would not only benefit the A1079 communities but would also bring an enormous boost in visitor numbers to Bridlington as well as to Driffield, Beverley and Cottingham.”

“We want to get as many people outside County Hall on Wednesday 8th January at 1pm as we look to try and keep the route protected.”