Plans to reinstate the disused Leek to Leekbrook railway line, along with work to install a new railway line and pedestrian route, have been approved by councillors.

The application was unanimously approved by members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's Planning Committee this afternoon (Thursday 16th December).

Leek Nub News reported previously how plans were submitted to the district council by Jonathan Cornes Associates on behalf of Churnet Valley Railway, which currently operates a 10-mile heritage railway between Froghall and Ipstones.

The new line is to connect to the existing railway at the Leekbrook junction and run to Barnfields Road, Leek.

Since the plans were unanimously approved they attracted little debate amongst councillors.

Cllr Keith Flunder proposed approval, commenting: "This is an important element of the economic development for Leek."

Cllr Ben Emery added that he was pleased to see a pedestrian area would be retained, saying: "I used to travel on that track many times with my children, either walking or cycling, and I'm glad to see it being retained in some way or another."

The former Leek station was located at the town's current Morrisons supermarket site and opened in 1849.

The Leek station and railway line to Stoke on Trent was in use until 1956 with passenger services to Uttoxeter until 1965. The line was finally closed following the closure of the freight services in the 1970's and the station and track dismantled shortly thereafter in 1973.

The new railway line will end around half a mile south of the old Leek station site.

The land is currently used as a pedestrian and cycle path, and is now home to a range of vegetation and trees, which has attracted wildlife. However, it has previously determined by the council that an environmental impact assessment for the plans is not required, as the development would be "unlikely to have a significant effect" on the environment.

The land will still be accessible to walkers and cyclists alongside the railway by providing them with a segregated area.

It's estimated that reopening the line will take annual Churnet Valley Railway visitor numbers from around 70,000 up to around 100,000, which could mean an extra £250,000 per year.