Welcome for rail link to Ironbridge power station site

The Marches Strategic Rail Group said this is a golden opportunity to forge ahead with plans to extend routes in the area to attract more visitors and improve public transportation.

Telford & Wrekin Council shadow transport cabinet member Councillor Eric Carter, who is also chairman of Marches Strategic Rail Group, said he is fully backing calls for close working between the borough and Shropshire Council over plans for the power station due to the railway opportunities.

He was responding to comments by Conservative Councillor Nicola Lowery, of Ironbridge Gorge, who said it is vital that the future of the site is carefully mapped out by the all the parties involved, including a heritage railway service.

Councillor Carter, a Conservative, said the situation had also been discussed by the rail group that meets in Shrewsbury bi-monthly.

"At our meeting last week I raised the need to liaise strongly with Shropshire Council regarding a future railway line that runs through to the power station. I was pleased to see that our views were being echoed by Councillor Lowery," he said.

"We are very keen as a group to do what we can. This is a potential rail link to the Severn Valley Railway and with further links added to the railway it could it go up to Lawley by crossing the A4169.

"We already have an active railway line that runs to the power station and links up to the mainline to Birmingham.

"The Telford Steam Railway has opened its latest station in Lawley. Their ultimate aim is to get it linked to the line that runs towards Ironbridge. The rail group will support any initiative to ensure a successful future for the Ironbridge power station site.

"This has potential to copy what Bridgnorth has created and with the World Heritage Site we could have visitors coming by train as well as by road."

Ironbridge Power Station was closed by owners, energy giant E.ON, after 46 years service last November.

Shropshire Council has revealed that it is working with the owners of several large development sites in the county on the creation of "masterplans" for the power station.

"It is imperative that the borough and county councils work together on any future initiatives," Councillor Carter, of Newport, added.