Yes, in my earlier comment I nooted that light railways are a lot easier to build - they might follow the old lines but could be elevated, as they say in USA. Ditto, they could go high over roads - or the roads could be closed! Generally, building light railways doesn't involve the massive structures that steam trains used. We are talking about *local* railways here.
Again, with regard to the canals, as the climate is getting drier they are increasingly problematic to keep boatworthy *but* as the original mail, I think, mentioned - could some of the major ones be linked up and could new canals be built to transport water as well as boats to the southlands?
Broadening the green corridors topic - which has hardly been mentioned. This is a matter of critical importance because all the interesting species in southern England will need them as escape routes as the climate changes. Canals, rivers and (paradoxically) motorways all provide these. I would like to see planning law incorporate a veto on all building within 5km of any waterway ....
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Originally Posted by Alan Getting back to the green corridors, since many segments of the disused railway lines where sold to private individuals or were made into bridleways/footpaths, the suggested re-opening of the lines wouldn’t go down too well with people who now live on them. I would also think that the current condition of many of the railway/embankments etc, are of far more use to wildlife now, than if they were to be brought back into service, with the necessary cutting back of trees, undergrowth and the electrification of the lines etc. Not to mention the re-establishment of the railway crossings and further infrastructure – I’m sure the cost would be extreme, and no doubt it would come out of our pockets.
As for the canals, the crystal clear water of some of them would no doubt be churned-up again in to a muddy soup by passing boats, and of course the bank erosion issue that has already been brought up. Again I think cost would not be excessive, and again as mentioned, it is just too slow for modern life.
Leave them both as wildlife corridors I say. |