Derbyshire town without a railway station: Swadlincote's railway revival back on the agenda

A Derbyshire town regaining a railway station after decades without one would be “transformational” a council chief has said.

Swadlincote is a member of an infamous shortlist of eight large English towns which do not have a train station and are not within 5km of one.

Long-held plans to restart passenger trains on the Ivanhoe railway lane through Burton to a would-be new station in Castle Gresley and onwards to Leicester were shelved last summer following a review of all infrastructure projects by the new Labour Government, seeking to plug a £21.9 billion funding gap.

Officials overseeing public transport in the town have been asked for their views on Swadlincote’s presence on the infamous shortlist and how they feel buses and other transport have helped to fill the gap.

This comes at a time when the responsibility for public transport is passing from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire county councils and being taken on by the new East Midlands Combined Authority, and directly elected Labour Mayor Claire Ward.

The scrapping of the Ivanhoe plans last year were dubbed “shortsighted”, “disappointing” and “extremely wrong” by Cllr Tony King, Derbyshire cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration.

Justin Ives, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “Swadlincote has been without a railway station for such a long time, that I don’t feel the impact is so directly felt by its residents in 2025, as people have adjusted to the transport links available to them.

“However, that is not to say that the introduction of a new railway station wouldn’t be a huge benefit; of course it would.

“Accessing Swadlincote by car does mean traversing a busy and often congested main road network, and this of course also impacts on anyone travelling by bus. 

“A direct train line to get residents to cities like Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham and beyond, would be a transformational addition to Swadlincote, and the district as a whole.

“I don’t feel the absence of a railway station has limited growth in our district at all, in fact South Derbyshire is one of the fastest growing districts in the country.

“There are always improvements that could be made to our transport network, and some that are in the pipeline locally, such as the county council’s project to improve the Swadlincote bus station and network, including the introduction of digital boards to improve customer experience. 

“Of course, all improvements do come at a cost, which is why we try to ensure as much of the Section 106 money we obtain as a council is directed towards bus networks and enhancing connectivity.

“We work in partnership with the county council and local bus operators when we are looking at large infrastructure programmes, such as the leisure centre and civic office project, to ensure that access to a new facility and improving services to our residents, is always considered as one of the key priorities.”

Cllr Robert Pearson, district council leader, said: “The lack of an operational railway station in Swadlincote since the 1960s does not appear to have hindered its economic or social growth. However, all options for improving public transport should be explored so that the district can continue to thrive.

“I’m conscious of the need to reduce car use and provide sustainable travel options for residents and visitors as we seek to reduce carbon emissions and improve our health and wellbeing.

“The reliability of bus services is a concern that has been highlighted by residents as a source of frustration and a barrier to greater use.

“I therefore look with interest at how Greater Manchester has brought bus services back under public control for the first time since de-regulation in the 1980s.  Manchester’s Bee Network has seen passenger numbers grow and service reliability improve under public ownership.

“Through the Bus Services Bill, which was introduced last December, the Government is paving the way for other mayoral authorities such as the East Midlands Combined County Authority to emulate the success of Greater Manchester.”

East Midland Mayor Claire Ward, who leads the combined authority, said in her election campaign she would initially work with bus companies to improve services and routes and proceed to seeking a franchise agreement – taking public control of the buses – if talks were unsuccessful. 

Ms Ward had said she wanted integrated “tap and go” ticketing for bus services along with affordable fares and more active travel.

A spokesperson for Ms Ward said: “We are currently working with our constituent authorities to confirm the programme of transport improvements across the region for 2025/26, making sure we get the best use of this funding. 

“There are many projects and schemes at various stages of development and these will be considered as part of this process. 

“Within that programme, rail infrastructure improvements will need to be delivered with central government as a partner – and we are liaising with them on the region’s rail priorities.”

Samantha Niblett, South Derbyshire MP, said: “Great transport links that enable people to get to places to work and shop and to access services they need are key to helping bring opportunity to people and in helping an economy to thrive.

“But after 14 years of a Conservative government, we don’t even have some of the basic provisions across South Derbyshire such as decent roads or bus services that get people to where they need to be across the constituency.

“It’s why I am delighted to see this Labour government’s £1 billion investment into public transport for places that need it the most. 

“But those buses don’t need pot-hole riddled roads to drive on which is why news that the East Midlands mayor getting circa £76 million to fix our roads is fulfilling a manifesto commitment. 

“It’s a share of a £1.6 billion national investment, 50 per cent more than the Tories had promised.”