Why I Believe that Every Remaining Railway Route Should Be Protected for Future Generations
For over 200 years, Britain's railway network has helped shape our towns, cities and countryside. Railways fuelled the Industrial Revolution, connected communities, encouraged tourism and became the backbone of our economy.
Yet since the 1960s, thousands of miles of Britains railways has disappeared, forever.
Many former railway lines have been sold off, divided into individual plots, built over by housing developments, industrial estates and roads, making it virtually impossible - and prohibitively expensive - to ever recreate them.
Once a railway corridor has been lost, it is usually lost forever!
It is time for that to change.
A National Campaign for Protected Railway Corridors?
It's time for a campaign that calls for every remaining railway corridor—whether operational, temporarily unused or closed—to be protected as part of Britain's long-term transport infrastructure.
Instead of selling railway land for short-term financial gain, we should preserve these routes for future generations.
Where rail services are no longer operating, the corridors should become public greenways for walking, cycling, horse riding and accessible travel, while remaining legally safeguarded for any future railway reopening.
This approach has successfully demonstrated its value in several other countries. It allows communities to enjoy the routes today without closing the door on tomorrow's transport needs.
Why Protection Matters
We Cannot Predict the Future
History teaches us that transport needs constantly evolve.
Many railway lines that once appeared uneconomic would now provide valuable alternatives to congested roads, reduce carbon emissions and connect growing communities.
What seems unnecessary or unviable today may become essential tomorrow.
Once land has been built on, that opportunity disappears.
Protecting railway corridors is an investment in future generations.
Walking and Cycling Routes Benefit Everyone
Disused railway lines are among the safest and most attractive routes available for active travel.
Their gentle gradients make them ideal for:
- Families with young children
- Older people
- Wheelchair users
- Cyclists
- Joggers
- Horse riders
They connect communities without the dangers of busy roads while encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Across Britain, former railway trails have become hugely popular visitor attractions, supporting cafés, accommodation providers, local shops and tourism businesses.
Supporting Local Economies
Greenways generate economic activity.
Visitors spend money.
Property values often improve.
Businesses benefit from increased footfall.
Communities gain attractive public spaces that improve quality of life.
Rather than viewing former railways as surplus land, we should recognise them as valuable long-term economic assets.
Protecting Wildlife and Nature
Railway corridors have become some of Britain's richest wildlife habitats.
Over decades they have developed into continuous green corridors supporting birds, mammals, insects and native plants.
Protecting these routes helps connect fragmented habitats and improves biodiversity while providing opportunities for responsible public access.
Saving Future Taxpayers Millions
Once railway land has been sold and developed, any future attempt to reopen a railway requires compulsory purchase, expensive engineering works and lengthy legal processes.
The public often ends up paying many times more to buy back land than was ever received from selling it.
Protecting railway corridors now avoids these unnecessary future costs.
A Smarter Approach
Instead of selling railway land, Britain should adopt a simple principle:
- If a railway closes, the corridor remains protected.
- Ownership remains in public hands.
- The land is leased for walking, cycling and community use.
If future transport needs change, the railway can be restored without the impossible task of rebuilding a route that has vanished beneath housing estates and industrial development.
This is not about preventing sensible local development.
It is about recognising that strategic transport corridors are a national asset.
The Brixham Railway Heritage Trail
The proposed Brixham Railway Heritage Trail demonstrates exactly why this issue matters.
The former Brixham Branch still survives in significant sections, offering an opportunity to create a safe walking and cycling route while preserving an important piece of railway heritage.
Projects like this should become the rule rather than the exception.
Communities across Britain are working hard to rescue former railway routes before they disappear forever.
They deserve support - not obstacles.
Our Proposal
We call upon Parliament to introduce legislation that:
- Prevents the unnecessary sale of railway corridors.
- Protects all closed railway alignments from permanent development.
- Creates a National Register of Protected Railway Corridors.
- Allows disused routes to become public walking and cycling greenways.
- Safeguards every route for possible future railway reopening.
- Recognises railway corridors as part of Britain's long-term national infrastructure.
A Legacy for Future Generations
The Victorians built the railway network with remarkable foresight.
Many lines served Britain for more than a century.
We have a responsibility to show the same vision.
Selling strategic transport corridors for short-term financial gain is a decision that future generations cannot easily reverse.
Protecting them costs relatively little.
Losing them could cost the nation forever.
The question is simple:
Should we continue allowing Britain's remaining railway corridors to disappear—or should we preserve them as a lasting legacy for future generations?
We believe the answer is clear.
Protect the routes.
Preserve our heritage.
Create greener communities.
Keep open the possibility of tomorrow's railways.