Coalville councillor Michael Wyatt will put a motion to the next full council meeting urging the completion of the Ivanhoe Line to Leicester.

The first phase of the planned re-opening of the passenger route will go from Coalville to Burton, then to Derby.

Campaigners for the Ivanhoe Line have long pushed for the new line to follow its original Burton to Leicester link.

Photo: Campaign to Re-open the Ivanhoe Line

But because the line linking Coalville to Leicester has been removed close to the Leicestershire Police headquarters at Enderby, it is considered too expensive to re-lay that section.

Cllr Wyatt, representing the Castle Rock ward, has described the current plans as 'half-baked' and does not relate to North West Leicestershire's connection to Leicester.

His motion will be put to the full council on November 14.

It reads: "This council welcomes the progress being made to finally see the Ivanhoe line reaching the next stage, but strongly encourages the Department for Transport and Network Rail to continue exploring the opportunities to complete the second phase of the Ivanhoe Line from Coalville to Leicester following the cancellation of the eastern leg of HS2.

Cllr Wyatt at Coalville level crossing. Photo: Supplied

"The council must send a strong message that the current plan for the Ivanhoe line is not good enough.

"We need the line to continue to Leicester where we have greater economic and sporting ties.

"I believe the current plan is half baked and fails to deliver a transport link which addresses the economic and environmental benefits to north west Leicestershire and Leicester."