A FIRST step to the potential reopening of a railway station outside Oswestry was taken after Baschurch Parish Council approved funding a feasibility study.

Councillors at the parish council voted to fund a feasibility study into reopening the line, which was closed in the 1960s as part of the Beeching cuts, having opened 112 years earlier.

The decision to fund a first-stage study into reopening the line was welcomed by Councillor Nick Bardsley, Shropshire councillor for Ruyton and Baschurch.

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He said: “This is a preliminary but vital first stage in making the case for reopening the railway station in Baschurch.

“I have been campaigning for the station since I was first elected to Shropshire Council in May 2013.

“This is not only good news for Baschurch but also for a significant catchment area in north Shropshire.

“I'm very pleased that our local parish council has taken the lead and is now commissioning this consultancy report – and from such an experienced and expert team."

Baschurch railway station was originally opened in 1848 before closing in the 1960s as part of the Beeching Cuts.

The station closed to passengers in 1960, before finally closing to goods in 1965.

Since 2009, there has been a local campaign for a station to be reopened in Baschurch to serve the community, with public meetings regarding the issue having been attended by hundreds of people in the past.

Cllr Bardsley was joined in his light by Simon Baynes, current MP for Clywd South and the man who the North Shropshire Conservative Association have entrusted to turn North Shropshire again after defeat to Helen Morgan and the Lib Dems in 2021.

Mr Baynes said: “I am delighted by the news that Baschurch Parish Council has met and agreed to fund a first-stage feasibility study in the project to reopen a railway station in Baschurch.

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“There is long-standing and strong support for this locally and I pay tribute to the many people who have campaigned to reopen Baschurch railway station over the years.

“I commend the parish council for the far-sighted decision that they have taken this evening which will be of great benefit to the community.”

Mr Baynes recently visited the railway by the old station with Cllr Bardsley and local resident Tamarin Bibow.