Weardale Railway has been given a boost by a proposed rail freight service.
UK Coal is hoping to use the line to transport over a thousand tonnes of coal from the Park Wall North opencast mine in Sunniside.
The coal would be transported from the opencast mine to a coal depot, which will be on the former steelworks site in Wolsingham, in 77 lorry loads.
From the Wolsingham coal depot, UK Coal would be able to deliver coal and useful by-products to most of the country.
Steve Raine, of Weardale Railway, said, “It would give a significant boost to the railway and, in particular, it would help us set up a community rail service providing a regular link to Bishop Auckland.”
Currently, the line only runs its heritage rail service. The plan faces opposition from some residents of Attwood Terrace, who believe that lorries on their way to the nearby depot would disrupt their lives, with some lorries travelling only 15ft from their back doors. However, it is reported that surveys contend that alternative routes could cause disruption to more houses, and measures to reduce the impact will also be undertaken; barriers will be erected to reduce noise and dust levels will be measured and controlled.
Speaking of the environmental benefits of the scheme, Mr Raine said that using the Wolsingham depot rail freight option would reduce carbon emissions by 4,200 tonnes when compared with the other options available.
If the scheme goes ahead, UK Coal and the railway’s operators would commence a four year contract; for the duration of the contract the coal depot would receive lorries from 7.00am to 7.00pm on weekdays and from 7.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays.
The proposed scheme is currently at consultation stage, with plans yet to be submitted.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
This will make the lives of Wolsingham residents a misery. Around 1000 lorry journeys each week through the village, the site entrance has no footpath on the other side so anyone walking to the village centre has to cross the site where 70+ wagons will be turning each day.
The noise, dirt and general disturbance for people (some only 50 meters from the road running parallel to their own street) will become horrendous.
This is nothing more than a money making exercise for an American company allowing Durham county council to stop funding a grown up train set.