subject: _:node1f22fa25efba3f5c2f4dcd80fd1851e3
obj: "Print Friendly\nIlkeston\u2019s last train station, Ilkeston Junction, was taken away in 1967 following the closure of Ilkeston North three years prior.\nRecommendations to the government from one Richard Beeching, Chairman of British Railways, resulted in massive changes which saw over a third of England\u2019s rail network disappear in an attempt to save money on a botched modernisation process. Over 2000 stations closed and thousands of miles of track were removed. The \u201CBeeching Axe\u201D fell on Ilkeston and decapitated a vital transport link.\nIn the past we were known as \u201Cthe largest town in England with no railway station\u201D which may partly account for the withering local economy and absence of retailers in recent years. Indeed, once upon a time, Ilkeston was busy and thriving. Now it provides the kinds of amenities tailored to a mere existence of its residents.\nFinally, it was announced in 2015 that Ilkeston had been successful in its bid for the station funds and after repeated delays (caused by various issues including flooding concerns and endangered newts) work would begin.\nWe all hoped the new station could be a catalyst for renewed interest and pride in our town.\n\nA new station could relieve congestion on roads such as the A609 and possibly all roads into Ilkeston, simultaneously addressing safety issues. A previous concern to this road congestion issue was the prospect of new housing in Ilkeston would serve only to exasperate the situation if the station was not provided.\nEconomic deprivation and unemployment in North Erewash is amongst the highest in Derbyshire and car ownership is low. Those whose employment hopes lie outside of the borough will need to be able to travel further afield rather than relying on over-crowded, under-performing bus services, which, again, puts Ilkeston at a disadvantage.\nDerbyshire County Council wanted to press ahead with development once they had secured funds for the estimated cost of building work, though the alleged budget was previously called into question by Broxtowe Councillor Steve Barber:\n\u201CI am surprised at the \u00A31m they seem to want to provide station buildings \u2013 I could buy/build a very good house for \u00A31m.\u201D\n\nLocal business and Unemployment\nIn 2007 The American Adventure closed its gates for good after struggling to maintain a steady flow of punters. Upon it\u2019s opening in 1987 it was heralded as one of the UK\u2019s first major theme parks and received an investment of approximately \u00A38m. Twenty years later it remains abandoned and once more the Coal Board must find a buyer for the land.\nIf Ilkeston had never lost its train station in the first place, would this transport link have been sufficient to bring paying customers to support the park ?\nThis is yet another example of a failed Ilkeston business that had potential. We can definitely say the landscape of our town today could be somewhat different if only we always had a railway service taken for granted by other towns and cities in England.\nStation Proposal and Progress\n\u201CGood transport is a vital factor in building sustainable local communities. It contributes to the achievement of stronger and safer communities, healthier children and young people, equality and social inclusion, environmental objectives and better local economies.\u201D\n\u2013 Department for Transport, Local Transport Plan Guidance 2009\n\nNetwork Rail proposed a \u00A3250 million investment in the Erewash line following recommendations for new signaling and the likelihood of a new East Midlands Control Centre. It was also suggested the junctions at Trowell, Ironville and Codnor Park should be redesigned and rebuilt. This seemed the best time for Derbyshire County Council to seek the project funding for an Ilkeston station and remained an issue to which they are committed.\nIn 2009 a report by the Association of train Operating Companies (ATOC) was published entitled Connecting Communities: Expanding Access to the Rail Network identifying commercially viable rail network expansion schemes. \u201CIlkeston Parkway\u201D, the site of the former Ilkeson Junction & Cossall station is amongst these.\n\nNetwork Rail requires that any infrastructure changes, improvements or development be taken forward through their Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) which is an eight stage review process. Documents for the GRIP3 stage were provided to identify preferred location and options for station facilities such as car parking and bus access. The latter stage, GRIP4, involved the submission of a planning application.\nIn 2011 capital investment hopes suffered a setback when it was revealed that a \u00A3100m Network Rail funding stream, the \u201CStation Commercial Project Facility Fund\u201D (SCPFF) was for maintenance and development of existing train stations, not new projects. These terms were initially ambiguous and so the bid failed.\nBut Derbyshire County Council leader Ian Stephenson still projected the confidence of all involved:\n\u201COn a technical stage we are very close, we just need the funding. We could deliver the station quite quickly subject to planning applications. \u201CWe are now looking at other options to find that cash. It is a great project and is supported across all parties and across the areas councils and by citizens too.\u201D\n\nThe investigation, commissioned by Derbyshire County Council, showed the station would generate about 120,000 passengers a year, as well as revenue of \u00A318.7m over 60 years.\nThe councils of Ashfield, Broxtowe, Erewash, Gedling, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe worked together as part of the Greater Nottingham Core Strategy in order to share staff and resources to produce more consistent and aligned strategies. By working together, they reasoned, it would be easier to access government funding pools.\nThe Core Strategy draws on the emerging Erewash Sustainable Community Strategy and other existing strategies of the Council and other organisations which have implications for the development and use of land. It aims to deliver local priorities for development in line with the Sustainable Community Strategy, builds on the principles and objectives of the Strategy and shares a common basis for community involvement throughout.\nSecuring the Required Funding\nThese were the main points to consider regarding the required funds:\n\u2022 Estimated cost for the station and associated facilities was set at just over \u00A34 million, though it has been suggested that \u00A35 million could have been a realistic figure. The reasoning was that the total building costs might come under the initial budget should the later GRIP stage reviews decide, for instance, that the ticket hall is unnecessary.\n\u2022 The Joint Planning Advisory Board, under the Greater Nottingham New Growth Point pledged \u00A31 million in principle. If the remaining monies can be found, hey said, this \u00A31 million will become available.\n\u2022 An \u201Cexpression of interest\u201D was submitted to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for Regional Growth Fund Support \u2013 the response \u2013 \u201CThe County Council need to demonstrate how the new station will have economic benefits.\u201D\n\u2022 At one point a funding opportunity did appear to have opened up via Network Rail. It was initially unclear, however, that a share of the \u00A3100m \u201CStation Commercial Project Facility Fund\u201D is not intended for the building new stations but rather the refurbishment of existing ones. This application ultimately proved unsuccessful.\n\u2022 Derbyshire County Council needed to prove they could raise the total capital required in order to supplement the \u00A31 million contribution from the Greater Nottingham New Growth Point.\n\nFurthur Funding Options\nDepartment for Transport (Dft) Major Scheme Funding\nThis funding source was one hope but became temporarily unavailable until further advice from the government could be provided. It was said that some time after 2014-15 there would be a possibility of a Local Enterprise Partnership fund allocation method, where decisions would be made on a more local level. However, competing interests elsewhere in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire would be a challenge. Also the date of 2014 was too late and would mean the Nottingham New Growth funds could have been lost.\nBorrowing and Business Rates\nThe County Council has at its disposal a \u201Cprudential\u201D borrowing facility. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a method by which local authorities borrow against future gains in taxes to subsidise regeneration and development projects. Calculations revealed a suggestion that business rate receipts would increase within a 400m radius of the station site.\nThe TIF scheme was intended to become operational from April 2013, so the County Council would have had to make an earlier proposal to borrow if they were to provide the station at the desired date of December 2013. As you know, development was delayed.\nRail Franchise\nAn alternative option is for Derbyshire County Council to provide a business plan for a franchising process. The Department for Transport would enter an agreement with a train operating company and the costs taken into account.\nNetwork Rail would be the body responsible for maintenance, and Derbyshire County Council, rather than a promoter, would become a chaperone and influencer for an agreement between the DfT and the train company.\nThis is a complex process and the outcome difficult to determine given the various interested parties.\n\nWatch video on YouTube\nLocal Transport Plan Capital\nThe County Council\u2019s transport budget was \u00A34.8 million for 2012-13 and 2013-14. While theoretically possible to divert some of this allocated cash (Integrated Transport budget), it would have been to the detriment of other vital services to the public and in the community. Spread over two financial years, using this allocated fund would mean significant spending \u2013 over half of the total available \u2013 on a single project.\nIt was possible, nevertheless, to investigate the previously mentioned \u201Cprudential borrowing\u201D together with a reallocation of funds from already approved transport projects. This stipulated that work already underway could be subject to budget cuts or hiatus.\nIlkeston Advertiser campaign: \u201CBack on Track\u201D\nThe Ilkeston Advertiser ran a regular campaign between 2010 -20012, eventually collecting 1,564 signatures.\n\u00A0\n\n\n\nThe Ilkeston Advertiser ran a campaign to help spearhead the train station development agenda.\nPosted by Ilkeston Railway Station on Monday, 19 March 2012\n\n\n\n\u00A0\nThese signatures were handed to Downing Street as part of the consideration for gaining support and funding.\nPossible Appropriate Building Sites\nThe site identified for a station was Ilkeston Parkway, off Coronation Road, on the existing Erewash Valley railway line, close to the site of the former Ilkeston junction station with links to Millership Way.\n// <![CDATA[\n(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = \"//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&#038;version=v2.3\";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));\n// ]]&gt;\n\n\n\nAn aerial plan and photo montage of the proposed #Ilkeston train station development\u2026Download the .PDF document:\u2026\nPosted by Ilkeston Train Station on Thursday, 12 February 2015\n\n\n\nDerbyshire County Council was asked to submit a report to Network Rail\u2019s Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP), the 8 stage review process required for any development of infrastructure changes.\n\u2022 GRIP 3 stage \u2013 This stage identifies preferred location and options for facilities\n\u2022 GRIP 4 stage \u2013 This stage focuses on non-rail facilities. Once there is confidence that the main project components are deliverable and doable, discussion over planning for car park and bus access facilities may commence\n\nThe Delays\nTo bring this page full circle, Ilkeston has been without a station for nearly 50 years. The last couple of years have been an excruciating mix of on again/off again news surrounding development and funding.\nJessica Lee is no longer an MP for Erewash although she should be commended on the work she did do. She collaborated with former Ilkeston Advertiser editor Peter Hemmet and lobbied Westminster consistently.\nThe railway link could offer alternatives to cars and buses and perhaps encourage residents to travel to work outside the town by railway. Ilkeston FC fans are pleased that their football travel arrangements for away games (as well as attracting supporters of other team into Ilkeston) seems to have reached a resolution.\nHowever, the residents have become weary of the setbacks. Seeing news stories like the one below is common:\n\u00A0\n// <![CDATA[\n(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = \"//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&#038;version=v2.3\";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));\n// ]]&gt;\n\n\n\nPosted by Ilkeston Train Station on Thursday, 22 January 2015\n\n\n\n\u00A0\nSupport from Local Government (from 2012 Onwards)\nIndividuals and organisations have gone on record to lend their voice to the campaign. It is a cross party issue.\nIlkeston Advertiser\n\n\u201CWe need to keep the pressure on the people responsible for making this happen and ensure this gets sorted. Ilkeston is the largest town in the country which lies on the rail network and does not have a station. This should not be allowed to continue so have your say and support the campaign. We have waited too long for a train station and we will not wait any longer.\u201D\nIlkeston Advertiser Editor, 8 Heanor Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8ER\nTel: 0115 944 6160\nhttp://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk\n\nCllr Richard Robinson\n\n\u201CI would like to add my full support for a train station in Ilkeston.\u00A0 This is an excellent campaign and it is really important for the local community I believe in and around Ilkeston to get fully behind this. \u00A0 I am a strong advocate of public transport, using trains every weekday. I am working closely with a number of colleagues in order to promote the Tram Phase III idea from Phoenix Park out to Kimberley and Eastwood.\u00A0  \u00A0 There are probably 3 key reasons I would state why Ilkeston deserves a train station: \u00A0 1) It will help to reduce increasing commuter congestion to and from Nottingham. \u00A0 2) It will help contribute towards investment in the area, hopefully attracting new business. \u00A0 3) Building a train station in Ilkeston compliments, for example, the work being undertaken on public transport initiatives in Nottingham with the tram investment. \u00A0 Also, I believe increasing availability of reliable public transport is part of the bigger picture to help us move towards sustainable forms of travel throughout the country, and reducing pollution caused by cars. Bearing in mind the increasingly high costs of fuel, anything that makes public transport more available and accessible to all is something we should all welcome.\u201D\nRichard Robinson Labour Borough Cllr for Kimberley & Cossall Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture & Leisure\n7 Scargill Avenue, Newthorpe, Nottingham,\u00A0 NG16 2DZ Tel (H): 01773 531315 Tel (M): 0775 1970 640\n[email\u00A0protected]/* <![CDATA[ */!function(t,e,r,n,c,a,p){try{t=document.currentScript||function(){for(t=document.getElementsByTagName('script'),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute('data-cfhash'))return t[e]}();if(t&&(c=t.previousSibling)){p=t.parentNode;if(a=c.getAttribute('data-cfemail')){for(e='',r='0x'+a.substr(0,2)|0,n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)e+='%'+('0'+('0x'+a.substr(n,2)^r).toString(16)).slice(-2);p.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(decodeURIComponent(e)),c)}p.removeChild(t)}}catch(u){}}()/* ]]> */ www.richardsrobinson.org.uk \n\nFormer MP Jessica Lee\n\n\u201CAny new station would in all likelihood have to attract the support of a train company running services north to Sheffield, which would also stop at Ilkeston.\nAt the appropriate time, I will gladly make any necessary representations to train companies to highlight the benefits of stopping at Ilkeston.\nI have also had several meetings with the local authorities and I seek progress from all the relevant authorities in making this much-needed service a reality.\nI have undertaken meetings in recent weeks and months with the borough councils and the county council in Derbyshire. I have written to the leader of Derbyshire county council, and I am encouraged by the reply that I have received. The letter, from Councillor Andrew Lewer, dated 25 November, confirms that the station proposal, the estimated cost of which is \u00A35 million to \u00A36 million, is one of the major transport infrastructure proposals in the local transport plan, and that it is deliverable within the time scale of the current Parliament. Further, he accepts that the plan offers good value for money.\u201D\nJessica Lee Former Conservative Member of Parliament for Erewash\n\nCllr Steve Barber\n\n\u201CRe-opening Ilkeston Station is seen as a key element in Greater Nottingham Transport thinking. It would serve not only Ilkeston in Erewash but also Awsworth, Cossall and other parts of Broxtowe. The road from Ilkeston to Nottingham is congested and many commuters now drive to Phoenix Park to use the tram. A direct 15 minute rail service would be a great asset.\nFor those reasons the Greater Nottingham Joint Planning Advisory Board (GN JPAB) unanimously voted \u00A31m towards the \u00A35m cost of the station. The next rail franchise is to be let in 2014 and it is anticipated to include a stop at Ilkeston. Providing patronage exceeds 150,000 per annum (Beeston has almost 500,000) this is viable. As the rail industry will not carry the full risk of a shortfall it is up to everyone to ensure that happens.\nGN JPAB is the only formerly constituted body representing the 8 local authorities in the Greater Nottingham Conurbation. Other Core cities have a Passenger Transport Executive and their local rail network is generally better. However, Nottingham having won awards for public transport is a city determined to succeed. At a recent meeting the constituent local authorities agreed on further joint working through the GN JPAB, Ilkeston station being a prime example of what can be achieved by working together.\nLet\u2019s hope the \u00A31m from us is the spark needed to ensure this project is completed.\u201D\nSteve Barber\nChair\nGreater Nottingham Joint Planning Advisory Board\nLabour Borough Cllr for Beeston Rylands\nTown Hall, Foster Avenue, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 1AE Tel (H): 0115 922 5806\n[email\u00A0protected]/* <![CDATA[ */!function(t,e,r,n,c,a,p){try{t=document.currentScript||function(){for(t=document.getElementsByTagName('script'),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute('data-cfhash'))return t[e]}();if(t&&(c=t.previousSibling)){p=t.parentNode;if(a=c.getAttribute('data-cfemail')){for(e='',r='0x'+a.substr(0,2)|0,n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)e+='%'+('0'+('0x'+a.substr(n,2)^r).toString(16)).slice(-2);p.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(decodeURIComponent(e)),c)}p.removeChild(t)}}catch(u){}}()/* ]]> */ Steve Barber Broxtowe Council\n"@en-gb