A campaign to breathe new life into a railway line that was closed to passengers in the 1960s Beeching Cuts is closer to success.

The Maid Marian Line would link the Robin Hood and Erewash Valley lines. It is expected to take passengers from Kirkby through Selston and Pinxton and on to a planned new major station at Toton.

The news is part of the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan, which also announced its commitment to an extension of the Robin Hood Line from Shirebrook to Ollerton, via Warsop and Edwinstowe.

The plan said the reopening of the Maid Marian Line to passenger services had the potential for a new station to serve Pinxton and Selston, and one at King’s Mill.

Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher said both projects were subject to a successful full business case being submitted by local authorities.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues Ben Bradley MP (Mansfield), Lee Anderson MP (Ashfield), and Mark Spencer MP (Sherwood) to get these proposals over the line,” he added.

Ashfield District Council leader Coun Jason Zadrozny said they had been working towards the reopening of the old mineral line to passengers for seven years.

“The council will continue to work with our partners and neighbouring councils and other stakeholders to deliver on our ambitious vision to improve public transport across Ashfield,” he added,

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said: “Good transport links mean better access to jobs, our towns and cities. People in Ashfield want to hop on a local train or bus. I will be continuing my lobbying of Government to ensure these plans are delivered as soon as possible.

“My goal is that if you live in Ashfield, you can get on a train near your home and directly go to London.”
Mansfield MP and Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley added: “I’m over the moon that the station at Toton has been approved.

“This could be life-changing for my constituents who will be able to access well-paid jobs and, even better, have easy access to them thanks to the creation of the Maid Marian Line.”

Sherwood MP Mark Spencer said the government’s commitment to exploring the Robin Hood Line further was fantastic news.

“The extension of the Robin Hood Line will bring with it jobs and investments for Edwinstowe and Ollerton. North Nottinghamshire as a whole has a lot of untapped potential that is waiting for the investment,” he added.

“For businesses and families in Ollerton and Edwinstowe this is amazing news, opening up opportunities.

“The fact this has been announced as part of the Integrated Rail Plan gets to the heart of what the Robin Hood Line has been all about — providing connectivity to rural areas.”

The four MPs  are pictured with Grant Shapps (Transport Secretary), who presented the Integrated Rail Plan.