Petition raises hopes for station re-opening

Published on 19th April 2007 in News

The campaign to re-open Hemingbrough train station continues to roll forward, with a public meeting planned for later this week.

About 1,500 people in Hemingbrough and the surrounding area have already signed a petition to re-open the station, which was closed in the 1960s.

Reg French, secretary of Selby Rail Users' Group said that the group have decided to support any attempt to re-open the station.

There are however, three major concerns about the re-opening of the station which were expressed when the campaign group met Rail Track, Network Rail's predecessor.

Cost implications was one of the issues but Mr French stated that as the public had showed their support, local fund-raising was an option. This would also demonstrate to potential funders that it was a true community project.

There were also concerns over whether there would be enough room to site a new station. However, Mr French said that he was sure this problem could be overcome.

The third issue was whether the plan would receive the support of the community, something which the petition has already proved.

Mr French said: "A lot of people wonder why Hemingbrough station was closed in the first place. Presumably, a lot of people feel that if they could go straight to Leeds or Hull or the coast it would be a big benefit to them."

The public meeting will be held on Thursday at 7.30pm, in the community centre in Scott Road, Selby.