One of the proposed actions of the Travel Plan, well-supported by respondents, was: 'Determine and develop routes that link with the Peak District National Park and beyond.' 

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Particular difficulty is experienced with accessing the Monsal Trail (a key route for walkers and cyclists in the Peak District National Park) from Buxton. It is only 4 ½ miles away, but the road is in a narrow gorge with no pavements – impossible to walk and difficult to ride safely. 

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This presents a real challenge for sustainable travel. An opportunity to resolve this was presented in 2022 by an invitation to visit an innovative very light rail (VLR) prototype vehicle – Revolution –  in Ironbridge. This seemed to provide a solution as the Revolution development company (Eversholt Rail & Transport Design International – TDI) were looking for trial locations where passenger vehicles could operate alongside heavy freight.  The Buxton to Blackwell Mill line could be the answer. 

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Initial site visits to both Buxton and Blackwell Mill, which provides access straight on to the Monsal Trail, confirmed that Buxton was a possibility for a trial. A subsequent scoping study, funded by Community Rail Partnership through Friends of Buxton Station, raised operational issues that needed to be addressed. 

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Meetings with Network Rail resulted in two further reports on signalling and ‘paths’, which are needed to construct a timetable. Issues with platforms were also raised. For the project to come to fruition it will need a commercial partner, therefore a Strategic Outline Business Case is required to confirm viability in order to attract capital investment. 

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If you can help, or would like to get involved with the project, please email travel@buxtontownteam.org