Negotiations between Derbyshire County Council and Peak Rail have been ongoing for some time, looking at options for extending the preserved line into the Peak District National Park and onwards to Buxton.  The main sticking point has been that around eight and a half miles of the former track bed has since closure as a railway been converted to the Monsal Trail, a popular route for use by many tourists and visitors.  Interestingly it has been reported in the railway press that Peak Rail has allayed the concerns raised by the local authority, who are satisfied that the trail and railway could coexist side by side.  This opens up the possibility of re-opening the railway through Bakewell and on to Buxton – what would be a very scenic route.At this stage there appears to be much to do and many big hurdles ahead before a northern extension for Peak Rail becomes a reality.  Most obviously, plans need to be drawn up (a feasibility study is yet to be conducted) and financing sourced.  There is also the matter of further consultations and agreements with other bodies, organisations and individuals.  Nevertheless it will be interesting to see how this might develop in the future, now that reportedly both local and national park authorities are supportive.  Time will tell…

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