PROJECT RISBOROUGH — The Final Link’
Pannier in the Watlington bay platform at ' Risborough in 1957 Ever since the Railway came into being in August 1989 the aim of restoring the link between Chinnor and Princes Risborough has been the main aim of the Railway........with a subsequent aim, finally of ‘ driving ’ back down the old track bed to reach Aston Rowant
The Railway initially purchased the 3 miles to Horsenden Lane Crossing from the British Rail Property Board in 1993 and then extended it by purchasing a further 3/4 mile to its present limit of operations at Thame Junction in 1994.
For the past 5 years the Railway has been negotiating with Network Rail and its predecessor Railtrack to either purchase the remaining 3/4 mile between the end of our existing metals and ‘ Risborough Station or to have a long term lease. While the negotiations dragged on interminably.......agreement was reached in principle in August 2003. Negotiations are still underway to finalise the agreements.
We hope to have a 99 year lease on the track bed......including the metals in situ and the old Watlington bay platform area together with the South sidings.
We will need to have laid two new sidings for Network Rail’s use as a pre-condition of this lease.
The work to be done is enormous.....involving by-passing ground signal ME667......laying the two new sidings.......a complete rebuild of the old Watlington bay platform and necessary passenger service infrastructure.......creating a ‘ run round ’ loop by the bay platform....and the relaying of track......including, as necessary, from the end of our existing metals top the bay platform area. Over the last 5 years the Railway has been raising funds for this project under the codename......Project ‘Risborough....to date nearly £200,000 has been raised which will cover the cost of the lease, legal bills and project planning. However, an additional funds are needed to complete the work. Fund raising for this additional amount commenced in December 2003.......and is gaining momentum and a further £150,000 has so far been raised........but we still to raise more in order to realise our aim. Donations small or large or loans by way of Railway certificated loans for 1 - 5 years are welcomed and may be made to the Railway’s Fund Co-ordinator. (For legal reasons members of the public who wish make a loan to the railway will first have to become members of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association.) Click here for donation information Alan Jeffries.
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©CPRRA 2004 amended 2006
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