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To: Department for Transport/Network Rail
Re-open Penrith to Keswick Railway
Re-instate the railway from Penrith to Keswick
Why is this important?
Keswick to Penrith - Soon after leaving Keswick it passed through the Big tunnel and entered the narrow gorge of the River Greta which it crossed eight times over the three miles to Threlkeld where extensive sidings were provided to serve the micro-granite quarries. The next five miles to the summit level of 889ft at Tarn Moss just east of Troutbeck were at 1 in 62 and to avoid high ground east of Penruddock if made a gradual but complete horse shoe curve to the north. At Blencow up and down platforms were provided together with goods yard, cattle dock and coal drop. A long goods loop avoided the platforms and three quarries had connections in the area. From here the line dropped down to Redhills Junction, where the spur south to the West Coast and Eden Valley lines diverged to pass under this line. The CK&P then joined the WCML at Keswick Junction (NY508294) half a mile south of Penrith station. In the reverse direction trains from Penrith faced a continuous climb at 1 in 70 for over four miles to reach the summit.
Reopening Proposal - Since 1998 The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railways PLC (CKPR PLC) have been seeking support for their project of reopening the Keswick - Penrith section. The cost of rebuilding the line is estimated at £25m but half of this was to have been funded by the SRA as part of the Transport Plan and Cumbria County Council has indicated that it would be prepared to consider funding applications. Owners of the trackbed have been contacted and discussions held with the Lake District National Park Authority about the sections they own, including accommodating the Keswick Railway Path. The reopening is supported by the owners of Keswick station, Northern Trains and Virgin Trains. A change in policy means that Rail Property Ltd no longer propose to sell off Mosedale and Penruddock viaducts. Eden District Council appears to be against the reopening of the Keswick & Penrith Railway and are allowing development at Flusco Business Park to straddle the trackbed. Latest Setback - Despite receiving more than 60 objections, Eden District Council's Planning Committee granted Planning Permission for an industrial unit on the alignment of the Railway at Flusco. The application was made public in April 2009 and the decision was made on Thursday 16th July 2009. Officers recommended that Planning Permission for the Industrial Unit be granted and did not recommend any conditions regarding protection of the Railway trackbed - even though the Council has such policies.
A popular train that ran in July and August in the 1950s and 60s was the John Peel Land Cruise; this was always a six car diesel unit when DMUs were still a bit of a novelty. It started from Blackpool, called at Morecambe and then ran non-stop via the Cumbrian Coast to Keswick where there was a three hour stop. The return leg was via the WCML; advance booking was essential.
Reopening Proposal - Since 1998 The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railways PLC (CKPR PLC) have been seeking support for their project of reopening the Keswick - Penrith section. The cost of rebuilding the line is estimated at £25m but half of this was to have been funded by the SRA as part of the Transport Plan and Cumbria County Council has indicated that it would be prepared to consider funding applications. Owners of the trackbed have been contacted and discussions held with the Lake District National Park Authority about the sections they own, including accommodating the Keswick Railway Path. The reopening is supported by the owners of Keswick station, Northern Trains and Virgin Trains. A change in policy means that Rail Property Ltd no longer propose to sell off Mosedale and Penruddock viaducts. Eden District Council appears to be against the reopening of the Keswick & Penrith Railway and are allowing development at Flusco Business Park to straddle the trackbed. Latest Setback - Despite receiving more than 60 objections, Eden District Council's Planning Committee granted Planning Permission for an industrial unit on the alignment of the Railway at Flusco. The application was made public in April 2009 and the decision was made on Thursday 16th July 2009. Officers recommended that Planning Permission for the Industrial Unit be granted and did not recommend any conditions regarding protection of the Railway trackbed - even though the Council has such policies.
A popular train that ran in July and August in the 1950s and 60s was the John Peel Land Cruise; this was always a six car diesel unit when DMUs were still a bit of a novelty. It started from Blackpool, called at Morecambe and then ran non-stop via the Cumbrian Coast to Keswick where there was a three hour stop. The return leg was via the WCML; advance booking was essential.
