Northampton Steam Railway Ltd has applied to the Department for Transport (DfT) for an Order to allow passenger trains to run to its new station at Boughton.
The heritage railway, staffed by volunteers, currently runs over about one-and-a-half miles of track. It has recently built a half-mile southern extension to the new station.
The Company, which operates the Northampton and Lamport Railway under the authority of the Northampton and Lamport Light Railway Order 1995 has now applied for an Order under sections 1 and 5 of the Transport and Works Act 1992. The new Order would extend its operations and maintenance powers over the new extension, which runs for round 750 metres from just north of Bridge 11 to the new Boughton station.
The southern extension has already been built, after being granted planning permission. However, to operate and maintain the railway over this stretch requires a further Order.
If the Order is granted, the Railway will be able to run longer railway trips, making it a more enjoyable and attractive venue for visitors.
The Order that the Railway has applied for would modify the 1995 Order in two ways:
- It would amend the description of the Railway which the Company is authorised to operate and maintain in the 1995 Order to include the southern extension; and
- It would add a requirement to construct a level crossing on the extension so that Public Footpath CC4 can cross the Railway. The Company has built the level crossing, under the planning permissions.
More information is available on the Railway's website.
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