THE incoming leader of the Labour group at Lichfield District Council has called for a more “ambitious” vision for rail transport in the area.
Cllr Russ Bragger, who will take over his party’s reins from Cllr Sue Woodward next month, said the potential to reopen the line between Lichfield and Burton would be a “turbo boost for the local economy along the A38 corridor.
He also suggested the southern end of the route – which has recently been converted into a Greenway for walkers – could also be reinstated.
Although tracks have been torn up on the southern section, the northern leg from Lichfield Trent Valley towards Alrewas remains in use for freight and depot services.
Cllr Bragger said that although the line closed to passengers in 1965, new residential and business developments mean it is no longer a purely rural area.
He added that the success of reopening mothballed lines elsewhere in the country made a compelling case for putting passenger trains back on the timetable.
“The railway from Lichfield to Burton is already there carrying trains every day.
“The A38 is a congested artery – and trains northwards from Lichfield would unlock the potential for our local economy.
“The Northumbria line was a similar example. It reopened on the promise of 350,000 journeys a year. In fact, since it returned 18 months ago it’s carried over a million.
“The case for a reopening between Lichfield and Burton is – to say the least – convincing.
“Rail is vital for Lichfield’s economy. The Midlands Rail Hub will unlock more trains to Birmingham, and a reopened link to Burton and on to Derby would create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and benefit the environment.”
Cllr Bragger said he believes plans need to be “ambitious” for the local area – and insisted relaying tracks on the new Greenway should not be off the table.
“Reopening to Burton is a reachable first step – the tracks are in place, and it’s already approved to carry passenger trains.
“But to add a further boost our local economy, Labour would like to see a new station serving Alrewas and the National Memorialal Arboretum and two Trent Valley local trains to London every hour.
“And in the longer term I’d like to see the protected Greenway to Walsall reopened as a railway, with a parkway station at Roundhill between Burntwood and Brownhills that would boost the area’s economy and reduce congestion.
“We must be ambitious for Lichfield and Burntwood. Rail can be a key growth engine for our area. The Government is investing to make things better, let’s keep it going.”
