Amanda Hack has led the first-ever parliamentary debate on the reinstatement of the Ivanhoe Line, an important step in restoring passenger rail services to the area.
During the debate, Amanda highlighted the Ivanhoe Line’s rich history and its connection to the area, noting its role in linking communities and industry over the decades. She also emphasised the unique beauty of the area, with the line running through the heart of The National Forest, an asset for both residents and visitors.
Amanda highlighted that, “Currently, 99% of visitors to local attractions like Conkers travel by car. A train line would provide a greener alternative, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage more sustainable travel. It could even be branded the ‘National Forest Line,’ which has a nice ring to it.”
Securing this debate is an important step in the long-term effort to bring passenger rail back to North West Leicestershire. - Amanda Hack MP
Amanda Hack continued,
“I want to thank all my constituents who shared their stories with me about how reinstating the Ivanhoe Line would impact their daily lives. Securing this debate is an important step in the long-term effort to bring passenger rail back to North West Leicestershire.”
Amanda also paid tribute to the Campaign to Re-Open the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) alongside South Derbyshire MP, Samantha Niblett, for their decades of tireless work to get the project to its current stage.
The debate also highlighted regional funding inequalities with the responding Minister, Kier Mather MP, committing to consider the points raised around the disparity in transport funding between devolved and non-devolved areas. That was alongside the potential use of HS2 asset sales in the constituency to support the Ivanhoe Line project. He also praised Amanda’s tireless efforts championing the project.
