Herpreet Kaur Grewal
A major social enterprise is to sell off its community railway businesses in Devon and the North-East, it emerged this week.
The ECT Group said it was becoming “increasingly difficult” for it to provide the “necessary management focus and investment” for its rail businesses.
They include the Dartmoor Railway in Devon, RMS Locotec in Wakefield and Weardale Railway in County Durham, which was taken over by ECT in 2006 after going into administration the previous year (R&R, 30 June 2006, p2).
ECT refused to comment on the reasons for its decision, but in a statement it said: “Following a thorough review, ECT has decided to focus on its core activities of providing high-quality environmental and community transport services.
“ECT is therefore seeking new ownership and investment for its rail businesses. We believe that they have a great future and we already have a number of parties interested in taking on the challenge and opportunity.”
In related news, the Department for Transport this week granted two rail lines in the North-West “community rail” status, which allows them to give local people greater control in their running and development. They are the Lakes Line, between Oxenholme and Windermere and a rail line between Blackpool South and Kirkham and Wesham.