Towns and villages across England, which were left isolated when their railways were closed, are one step closer to having their connections restored and transformed, as 15 projects are awarded up to £50,000 each to progress plans to reinstate historic stations and restore passenger services, as announced in the Spending Review.

More than 50 years since the railways were radically reshaped, including thousands of lines and stations closed during the infamous Beeching cuts of the 1960s, this latest investment will kick-start work on schemes that reconnect previously cut-off communities, with the potential to reinvigorate local economies and level up opportunity across the country.

Schemes awarded funding include:

• restoring Ferryhill station in Sedgefield, demolished alongside Mainsforth Colliery in 1969
• returning services to Consett in the North East
• bringing back a station close to the medieval Beeston Castle in Cheshire
• reinstating services for communities around Ashfield on the Maid Marian Line