A project to bring back the rail line to Leek has moved a major step forward.
 
Members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning applications committee gave full approval for the reinstatement of single line railway track and replacement footpath on the former railway line between Cornhill Leek and the boundary of existing operational railway land at Leek Brook, when they met last Thursday.
 
The proposed new line will run to the Cornhill area of the town at Barnfields where planning consent has already been approved for a major housing development and a new railway station.
 
The former railway between North Rode and Uttoxetter and former Leek Station, which was located on the site now occupied by Morrisons, was opened by North Staffordshire Railway in 1849.
 
The branchline from Leek Brook junction, a short distance south of Leek, to Stoke on Trent was opened in 1864 and later a branch from Leek Brook junction to Cauldon Low was added in 1905.
 
The Leek station and railway line to Stoke on Trent was in use until 1956 with passenger services to Uttoxeter until 1965.
 
The line was finally closed following the closure of the freight services in the 1970's and the station and track between North Rode and Leek Brook dismantled shortly thereafter in 1973.
 
Now Churnet Valley Railway (CVR) is set to bring the rail line back into Leek.
 
The railway has been successful in its bid to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and has been awarded £1.4 million to reinstate the whole length of the track on the Leek Brook to Leek rail line.
 
A report to councillors by the council's operational manager, Ben Haywood, said, "The proposal is to reinstate single track railway over the former track bed at Cornhill/Barnfields Road, in Leek to the current operational CVR rail head at Leek Brook. The reinstatement of the track at Leek to the current rail terminal at Leek Brook will connect to the CVR heritage railway. The reinstatement of the Leek to Leek Brook railway will be used as an extension to the Churnet Valley Heritage railway line. The purpose of the reinstatement is to reconnect Leek to Churnet Valley in accordance with the adopted Churnet Valley Masterplan, supplementary document 2014. This will provide for a rail connection to support Leek/Churnet Valley and the surrounding areas, and to encourage and promote further important transport links for the continued regeneration, tourism, employment, and growth of the town of Leek and the surrounding areas. The proposed Leek terminus is approximately half a mile South from the historical Leek station site. The Cornhill site off Barnfields Road has obtained planning permission for a major residential development including land allocation for a new railway station supporting this proposal for the reinstatement of the Leek to Leek Brook railway line. This application relates only to the reinstatement of the trackwork. The new station already benefits from outline consent under the approval for the Cornhill site, and this proposal, if approved, would be followed by a reserved matters application for the detailed design and layout of the station buildings and structures. The land is proposed to continue to be accessible to walkers and cyclists alongside the railway by providing a segregated zone within the railway boundary. The existing Leek promoted walk which is North of the Leek terminus will be run alongside the proposed Leek terminus. It is proposed to provide a footpath for walkers/cyclists in part at the bottom of the embankment away from the railway formation and in part alongside the new line on the track bed itself. The exit point for pedestrians will remain at Barnfields Road and will link up with an unnamed road, unofficially known as Water Works Lane at Leek Brook. Currently, there is no formal link through from the footpath on the council owned track bed to Water Works Lane without straying onto the operational railway land, although this has been done informally for many years. This application will formalise the arrangement and provide a properly demarcated and safe route through this land."
 
Speaking at the planning meeting Mr. Haywood said that two comments had been received regarding the plans.
 
He said, "One objector stated that the plan was flawed and that there was no protection from an open line and that steam trains would pollute the area. Leek Golf Club, had stated that they did not object to the plans, but the footpath came close to their land. It was suggested that the footpath be relocated to protect people from golf balls."
 
Planning committee member, Councillor Ben Emery, said, "I am glad that the footpath is being retained, but I am worried about the tunnel being shared with pedestrians."
 
However, Mr. Haywood said that fencing would be erected to keep people safe.
 
Councillor Keith Hoptroff said, "The golf club is worried about balls, but people have been walking down the track for years."
 
Members unanimously voted to approve the application.
 
Leslie Jackson.