Ardingly on the cards
IN advance of a planning application and Transport and Works Act Order application being submitted, the Bluebell Railway held a public consultation for its proposed reinstatement of the former Horsted Keynes to Haywards Heath line, as far as Ardingly. At Ardingly, it is proposed to divert the route to the north around the existing Hanson aggregates depot, which is connected to the national rail network via a spur from Haywards Heath. The Bluebell Railway said this will enable onward journeys to Haywards Heath. The consultation closed on September 16.
Planned shutdown for bridge work
THE Great Central Railway is to be closed for over four weeks in March to facilitate the renewal of two bridges. Located immediately north and south of Quorn station, steel decks on the bridges require replacement. Both structures are being tackled together as the work will require the presence of specialist machinery and GCR said it would make no sense to do this twice over. Meanwhile, the refurbishment of Loughborough loco shed, which has been underway for over three months, will continue until well into next year. GCR said the task is now considerably more challenging and costly than had been understood previously.