Tory-turned-TV presenter may visit railway

Former Conservative politician and TV presenter Michael Portillo could stop off at Elsecar Heritage Railway next month as part of his programme Great British Railway journeys.

Chairman of the heritage railway, Del Tilling, said there has been some interest from the programme makers and Mr Portillo could visit the railway by the end of April.

He said he would be coming to look at the Heritage Railway's project to Cortonwood, the level crossing at Tingle Bridge Lane and the famous Newcomen Beam Engine at Elsecar Heritage Centre.

"We are very excited and it came out of the blue," Del said.

He has spoken to Mr Portillo's researcher and said the line is 'perfectly placed' to tell the stories of the South Yorkshire coal field.

Del says the area is steeped in history, from iron forges to the canal era, right through to where the miner's strike started at Cortonwood Colliery.

The group was hoping to close Tingle Bridge Lane in Hemingfield today in order to put a level crossing in place and push on in their bid to reach Cortonwood.

Work trains would then be sent over the road to carry on the rest of the line.

But Del said they have decided to delay work until after the Easter holidays. A meeting has been held with the highways department at Barnsley Council about digging up the road to put the rails in place.

The group has all the equipment for the crossing and the road would be closed from April 10 for two weeks, and are awaiting the go-ahead from Barnsley Council.