Is there good evidence to that? I expect it is significant and possibly a slight majority, but a vast majority seems unlikely due to it being part of a popular National Cycle Network loop and through touring routier as well as all the local users.
I dont think there is any evidence. However I would suspect there are lots of families that use the trail from surrounding towns that are slightly out of reach by cycle e.g Buxton, Hope, Matlock or even Bakewell - and drive to the trail. Similarly there are members of the public without families who drive.
I am not advocating closure the lines north of Skipton, but merely stated that they are financial basket cases worthy of closure on economic grounds. The rationale for retaining them years ago was as alternative routes for freight, avoiding the WCML, just as the Woodhead route was retained for freight traffic post 1970, but subsequently closed. However, although some other through paths exist, the only freight traffic now using the S&C line is to Arcow quarry and New Biggin gypsum works, and the little NW line sees no freight at all. Passenger services are now down to 4/day each way on each of the S&C and Llttle NW routes. They are hardly economically viable. It will be a battle royal to retain both routes, yet alone one, when the bankrupt Treasury comes knocking, and it is in this context that I question the suggested re-opening of a challenging ex-MR line through the relative empty countryside with few major settlements at the heart of the Peak District.
Also 1tph Manchester Central-Manchester Piccadilly
Ahh, now that seems better than I first thought, however the frequency still wouldnt be great.
You could extend Corby services
Closing such routes would be pointless. What problem would it solve? - you'd save only a tiny fraction of the total subsidy that rail receives. Virtually none of the rail network is 'economically viable' in the sense of providing a commercial level of return. And it would be politically 'courageous' - there's a reason the government bangs on about 'reversing Beeching'.
So you’re going to go to Bakewell via Manton, Syston and Ambergate?
Some the disused lines they look to doing a "reversing Beeching" with were not even closed or recommended for closure under Beeching.
Manchester yes.
But why would you do such a lengthy journey
Can't extend Corby services unless you miss out Leicester & MH.
I only made 1tph because of the speed between Hazel Grove High Level Jn and Edgeley Jn No 2 Jn(Edgeley East Jn) and constrains north of Stockport
So are you saying that a chord should be built between the freight line from Hazel Grove High Level Jn
It should use the existing line and tram-trains could run to Stockport
And also I believe a south to west chord at Adswood should be built to connect to the WCML(to allow Trafford Park freights to bypass Castlefield, and a south to west chord at Hazel Grove should be built to allow diversions in case of a Disley Tunnel block
Do you personally think it is feasible or economic to run trains down this line and from Stockport down to Crewe or Stoke?
Mixing the metrolink with the National network is a recipe for unreliability, especially when your services are coming from so far away (London via Melton Mowbray, Derby and Stockport).
No, I think they(tram-trains) should run like this
Well it could be heavy rail fully and operate similar shuttle services as the Manchester Victoria- Stalybridge, so Stockport to Manchester Central mainly for stops in between.
Remember the Man Airport branch. That has street running.
Good idea, if we hadn't built a congested M60, we could have run trains as far a Glossop and New Mills Central, reinstating the old curves and connections
Of course, I live so near to that branch how could I forget...
I wouldn't abandon Barlow Moor Road but Hulme and Moss Side it would make sense to serve as it would mean no competing with other transport(rail based) and the buses are not suitable as transport
The reason I added an edit is as I live near there is literally no space to try and squeeze in a tram line: it would be costly and too much effort for a connection to Derby. Abandoning Barlow Moor Road is the option if going via Stretford Cemetery.
It’s not. I’m getting carried away and it’s getting a bit vaguer from the actual topic, apologies.
And also, you could but trams down Kingsway as far as a newly built East Didsbury High Level(end of trams, back to the topic)
Speaking of that route, my plans would see Manchester Central reopen to accomodate the route and you have to remember East Didsbury(Parrs Wood) to the new/old Firswood dive-unders is Metrolink
Indeed. And I don't believe for one moment the government actually intend to undertake any major reopening programme. But Beeching has become synonymous with closed rail lines and dangling the prospect of reversing closures has quite a strong political value, a return to the 'good old days' which appeals to many of the government's core voters. It's one thing to fail to reopen a closed line (you can always give reasons why - too expensive etc.) but quite another to close large sections of rural railway line, especially ones with huge emotional investment and history of fighting closure plans, such as the S&C.
Agreed.
