There was a final push in the town centre on Saturday to gather signatures for a petition calling for a return of a railway station to the town. Now whilst I think this is a good idea, I cannot wholeheartedly support the campaign as logic and common sense tells me the preferred location is in the wrong place. Ilkeston Junction is served by one half-hourly bus service and access to a station there will only increase traffic along Station Road when the stated objective is to reduce it there. 
The narrow railway bridge over the line, is rusting away and is desperately in need of repair Four councils, Erewash, Broxtowe, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire would all be involved in the planning process at this location.
My (and probably many other people's too) preferred location would be on the old Trowell Station site. This involves only two of the councils, is served by two bus routes, the Two every 12 minutes and the 15 every 20 and the bridge over the line was replaced about eight years ago. Access is much easier for the majority of the town's population and would not exacerbate the Station Road situation.
Talking to our MP on Saturday who is pressing for the new station, I was informed that it is hoped to introduce a shuttle bus service from the new station to the town centre to bring students in to the relocated Derby College. The problem there is the plan intended to regenerate the town centre is to build a supermarket on the existing college site thus having the opposite effect by drawing people away from the town centre. All parties involved should get their act together as at the moment there is a distinct lack of joined up thinking.
The narrow railway bridge over the line, is rusting away and is desperately in need of repair Four councils, Erewash, Broxtowe, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire would all be involved in the planning process at this location.My (and probably many other people's too) preferred location would be on the old Trowell Station site. This involves only two of the councils, is served by two bus routes, the Two every 12 minutes and the 15 every 20 and the bridge over the line was replaced about eight years ago. Access is much easier for the majority of the town's population and would not exacerbate the Station Road situation.
Talking to our MP on Saturday who is pressing for the new station, I was informed that it is hoped to introduce a shuttle bus service from the new station to the town centre to bring students in to the relocated Derby College. The problem there is the plan intended to regenerate the town centre is to build a supermarket on the existing college site thus having the opposite effect by drawing people away from the town centre. All parties involved should get their act together as at the moment there is a distinct lack of joined up thinking.
I don't write these things purely and simply because I've reached the "grumpy old man" stage of life although that may have a bearing on the tone. Being born and bred here and having lived in the town all my life, I care for the place. I wouldn't have being doing my bit to try and promote it for the last ten years with the Ilkeston Cam website if I didn't. But seeing the detrimental effect Ilkeston has suffered with previous well-intentioned decisions, it's vital we get this one right and logically the best place for a station is the former Trowell Station site. 
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