Councillor calls for planned Ivanhoe Line railway to be re-named in recognition of Coalville's near-200 year history
A councillor has called for the planned new passenger railway line to be named after its original creator George Stephenson - to reflect Coalville's history.
The current scheme could see the route between Burton and Leicester re-opened in 2026 as the Ivanhoe Line.
The name comes from the novel Ivanhoe, written by Sir Walter Scott, which is set in Ashby de la Zouch.
But Cllr Terri Eynon told Tuesday's North West Leicestershire District Council's full council meeting that an alternative name should be considered.
The Labour councillor said that the contribution of George Stephenson, a civil engineer during the industrial revolution and renowned as the 'Father of Railways' who had first stretch of line built, with his son Robert as chief engineer, in 1832.
Cllr Eynon also highlighted 2028 as the bicentennial of Coalville and that the re-opening of the railway line could run alongside that milestone.
She told councillors: "I'm pleased to hear about the National Forest line and that it's moving along the bureaucratic track and from a wished-for fantasy to practical reality.
"But I wonder if it's now time to consider renaming the line.
"In 2028 it'll be Coalville's bicentennial. Founded by two fathers, mine owners, William Stenson and George Stephenson
"Many of us believe that the re-opening of the line will be the re-making of Coalville.
"So, rather than naming the line after a romantic, regency fantasy novel written by a Scot - who published it in 1819, before Coalville even existed - could we not recognise the real creators of the line, George and Robert Stephenson?
"And re-name the line in their honour - the Stephenson line."
George Stephenson moved to the parish of Alton Grange - now part of Ravenstone - in 1830, originally to consult on the Leicester and Swannington Railway, a line primarily proposed to take coal from the western coal fields of the county to Leicester.
The promoters of the line Mr William Stenson and Mr John Ellis, had difficulties in raising the necessary capital as the majority of local wealth had been invested in canals.
Realising the potential and need for the rail link Stephenson himself invested £2,500 and raised the remaining capital through his network of connections in Liverpool.
Cllr Sean Sheahan, leader of the Labour group on the council, said it was time for local authorities to work together now to make sure the railway line opens as planned.
He told the same meeting: "It's a great idea and I think the Campaign for the Re-opening of the Ivanhoe Line has done a fantastic job, and it's just what the project needed.
"I'll say here and now, I'm pleased to sign letters that helps get things moving.
"I just hope that we finally see this coming to fruition. Back in 1997, when I first got on to the County Council, the first meeting was to close down the committee that was looking at it.
"What you need to get this moving is plans, and also building up partnerships with the likes of Leicestershire County Council. Because, without those two things, it won't happen.
"And there's still a lot of work to be done with getting County on board with putting forward a subsidy, which might only run for a few years, but it'll get it off the ground.
"Because we've been talking about this for a very long time. Others have been doing it we've been getting lots of community rail lines all around the country.
"I think we are one of those needy areas, in not having a railway connection.
"The sooner it happens, the better."
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