Return of the trains 'would ease Towers traffic through village'
At a meeting on Monday, members of Alton Parish Council gave their backing to the resumption of trains.
They said the proposals – which involve running services to Alton Towers – would reduce the number of cars making their way through Alton to the theme park.
The Post & Times revealed last month that passenger and freight trains were set to return to the Moorlands after more than 40 years.
The development comes after Moorlands and City Railways Ltd purchased the Leekbrook to Cauldon Lowe line from Network Rail.
MCR also has an unconditional offer for the Leekbrook to Stoke-on-Trent line, which will give it a 150-year lease from next March.
It was also announced that MCR is looking at running trains to Alton Towers on a line which currently ends at Oakamoor.
Alton councillors welcomed the return of the trains in principle, but said the valley through which the line runs should not be closed to walkers.
They also called for more information about what would happen to passengers when they left the train at Alton station.
Council chairman Fred Eyre said: "Trains would take some traffic away from the village, which can only be a good thing.
"There are concerns, however, what will happen when people leave the train at the station."
Councillor Angela Snow said anything that took traffic away from the village was a good idea.
Parish councillor Arthur Forrester, who is also the deputy leader of the district council, warned that it could be five years before services resume.
He added: "I think it is vital facilities are left for walkers. We should wait for plans to develop, then ask for a presentation on the proposals to be put before village residents and parish councillors."
Councillor Tony Moult said the return of the trains was an excellent idea.
He said: "The lines should never have been closed.
"We should not just consider Alton Towers.
"This will also be good for village residents, as they could catch a train to any destination in the country.
"The track is wide enough to accommodate the train and walkers.
"It is also wide enough for a double track."
Once the proposals are completed, passengers will be able to catch trains from Leek, Cheddleton, Kingsley and Froghall to Stoke-on-Trent, where they can transfer to inter-city services.
Passenger trains last ran in the area in 1965, while freight trains stopped in 1988.
MCR has reached an agreement with the Churnet Valley Railway on the use of lines, and it is in discussion with Lafarge about transporting its products by rail.
MCR's commercial manager, David Kemp, says the proposals will help Churnet Valley Railway become one of the top heritage lines in the country.
The proposal also involves the introduction of a park-and-ride site near Stoke station.
Passengers would then board trains for a journey right through the Churnet Valley corridor to Alton Towers.
Work is expected to start clearing the overgrown tracks within the next nine months.
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