By William Turtle-Clark

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA), a national rail pressure group, is urging local authorities to work together on making the case for the reopening of the railway line between Hereford, Ross-On-Wye and Gloucester.

Speaking to HHR's William Turtle-Clark, the group's CEO, Richard Pill, described the route as "the missing link for this area". 

When asked why the group were pushing for this link now, he responded by stating that "since the nineteen-eighties a number of railways have been re-opened, as well as stations, and the vast majority have exceeded usage expectations".

Mr Pill made reference to The Borders Line in Scotland, and The Northumberland Line as examples of railway projects that have exceeded usage expectations. He said there was "no good reason why this line wouldn't do equally as well". 

When asked about financial and practical challenges of building a line along a route where much of the original track bed has been built over, Mr Pill admitted that "across the country a number of railway routes have been obliterated by developments" but added that his group had "called for the government to have a route protection order to restore railway routes for keeping options open to re-open lines". 

He noted that the BRTA wants the government to realise that "there is an environmental problem and we do need to lower emissions on the roads and we do need more rail choices for passengers and freight". 

Mr Pill mentioned that whilst studies cost money, they do answer questions regarding engineering required, the business case, the costs and environmental impact.

He said "it could be that there's talent within councils and agencies" to answer question with their own research to save money and to make "a robust case" to catch the interest of government. 

Discussing the proposal, Councillor Louis Stark, Chair of Herefordshire Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee, confirmed that a meeting in December will examine the county's wider rail strategy, which is currently under development.

Published 30/09/2026