Mansfield MP excited by progress on Robin Hood Line extension

Ben Bradley set out to see the line, which connects Worksop to Mansfield, Ashfield and Nottingham, extended when he first stood for parliament in 2017 – making it one of his key transport priorities.

The Mansfield MP, alongside Sherwood MP Mark Spencer, have been calling for the line to be extended into Edwinstowe, Warsop and Ollerton in a bid to “unlock the potential” of our tourism market at Sherwood Forest.

And now he has welcomed the government’s announcement that it would reverse ‘Beeching Cuts’ from the 1960s – pledging to spend £500 million on rural railway lines to connect parts of the country together.

It was announced last year that the line, which is run by East Midlands Railway, would be getting a new-and-improved timetable, and in August the full extension proposals will be put forward.

Mr Bradley has welcomed the progress.

“Good transport links are essential, not only for levelling up local economies across the country, but for helping people to get around – to get to work, visit friends and access public services”, Mr Bradley said.

“I’ve taken every opportunity to raise the importance of the Robin Hood Line with ministers, and I’m delighted with the progress that has been made so far – we’re already getting a new-and improved-timetable and refurbished trains.

“In August, East Midlands Trains will present the full business case for the extension, which will bring Warsop, Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest and Ollerton onto the rail network and connect our communities.

“This is a massive amount of progress, and I look forward to seeing our plans progress further.

“Of course, there’s still a way to go, so it was great to have the opportunity to remind the transport minister about our big plans for the Robin Hood Line.”

Lee Anderson, Ashfield’s MP, has also said he will “fight tooth and nail” to see the Maid Marion Line reintroduced – a line that was slashed during the 1960s cuts.