THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
New plans, new appeal, new momentum
We are just weeks away from submitting our planning application to build the rest of the new railway we need for the Reunification project. We’re ready to share our new proposals.
Our stunning artists impression shows a train heading north out of Loughborough Central bound for Nottinghamshire. It’s crossing the ‘urban viaduct’. Double track will cross the canal bridge and run onto 100metres of embankment. It’s followed by a new single track metal span to cross the sewer outfall, followed by 200 metres of viaduct as shown in the picture. It should be cheaper and simpler to build than the previous embankment proposal.
At the end of the viaduct, there will be a new metal bridge over Railway Terrace road before the viaduct resumes and the line reaches the (already constructed) Midland Main Line bridge.
We have also decided the Reading bridge decks, recovered some time ago will now be disposed of. They would require substantial modification to fit into the new proposals, though of course they were instrumental in getting the whole Reunification project moving in the first place.
Together we have raised approximately two million pounds. Some of those funds have been allocated to the planning process which has not only involved developing the new designs, but also the necessary supporting reports.
Next comes the process of turning the designs into engineering and construction documents which a contractor would use to actually build the new railway. This process will cost around £500,000, so that’s our new appeal. The more we can raise, the more we can protect our banked funding, meaning the more we can build and the sooner we can deliver.
You can make a donation online here, You can also text UNIFY to 70970 to donate £5. (For full terms see http://platform.nationalfundingscheme. org/terms-and-conditions)
Thank you for your support. Every pound matters and makes a difference. Together we’re making Reunification happen.