PLANS to re-open the Ivanhoe Line in the short term have been cancelled by the Government - a decision described as 'disappointing' by local campaigners.

This week's budget included spending plans on rail projects - but the Ivanhoe Line, set to run from Coalville, through Ashby, to Derby, was not among them.

A final decision had been expected this week following Labour's decision to cut the Restore Your Railway funding which was to have supported the re-opening of the line.

That came almost before the dust had settled on the General Election result.

Douglas McLay, from the Campaign to Re-open the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL), said: "The Derby to Coalville scheme has been cancelled by the government, so that proposal is now finished. 

"The final Project Delivery Group was held last week.

Plans for the line's re-opening were under way before the General Election. Photo: CRIL

"There was a considerable amount of money allocated to transport schemes in the budget. 

"However none for any of the RYR schemes including the Ivanhoe Line.

"It is disappointing to see that the schemes that are to be funded are in the North West, Yorkshire, the Oxbridge corridor and of course HS2 from London to Birmingham. 

"As usual nothing for the East Midlands of course."

But CRIL say the project is not completely dead - but will now have to undergo a re-think.

Mr McLay added: "To be honest, we are considering our new strategy. 

"We are now obviously going to have to think in the longer term. 

"We have been working with Network Rail and MP Amanda Hack, who remains keen to deliver on her campaign promise.

Leicestershire County Councillor Craig Smith, who contested the North West Leicestershire seat for the Conservatives at the General Election, posted on social media.

He said: "With the release of the Budget, many of you are likely wondering what it means for the Ivanhoe Line's reopening - a project that was so close to becoming a reality this time last year under the Conservative Government.

"After listening to the Chancellor's announcement and reviewing the Budget in detail, the previous government's plan to reopen the route from Coalville to Derby has had the scheme officially closed.

"Despite the Transport Secretary receiving an additional £1.2bn for new transport projects, our area, which remains the only constituency in the East Midlands without a rail link, has been overlooked yet again by this appalling Labour Government.

"As predicted, much of the new £1.2bn funding is being allocated to Sir Keir's mates, with substantial new schemes in the North, the Varsity Line linking the home counties and Oxbridge, and the ongoing HS2 project."