CAMPAIGNERS hoping the Beverley to York railway line will be reopened are appealing for sponsorship to fund a study into what it will cost.
They hope the increasing numbers of people using trains and publicity surrounding the 50th anniversary of Dr Beeching's decision to close a huge number of railway lines will spark public interest.
The Minsters' Rail Campaign, set up as a joint effort between Beverley and York minsters, has started a fighting fund.
George McManus, chairman of the Minsters' Rail Campaign, said: "Closing lines like the one from Beverley to York was a mistake.
"There would be huge economic benefits to having it reopened.
"We are trying to get enough money together to be able to update the costing and provide a new survey of the line to take to the investors."
The line was one of those closed following a report 50 years ago by British Railways chairman Dr Richard Beeching. It shut in 1965.
Money raised from the new fighting fund will be put towards a feasibility study that will update the costing plan and provide a new survey of the line that can be presented to investors.
The fund currently stands at about £2,000 but campaigners are aiming to raise £25,000 in the next 12 months.
Mr McManus hopes the increase in both the population and housing developments since the last time the investment was fully assessed will mean the project will now be economically feasible.
A feasibility study was last commissioned in 2005 by the East Riding Council, when it was estimated the project would cost about £240m.
Mr McManus said: "We're hoping to raise enough money to be able to reassess the line and ensure that it will be economically viable."
He points to the Waverley line in the Scottish Borders, which is being reopened, as a good example of what can be achieved.
Mr McManus said: "It is comparable with the Beverley to York line.
"It crosses 30 miles of open countryside and it faces the same engineering challenges."
He said another similar line for which funding had been approved is the Varsity line linking Oxford and Cambridge.
The East Yorkshire campaigners believe the line would be a good alternative to the A1079.
Road traffic to York has increased over the years, as have accidents, pollution and congestion.
Campaigners have worked on the project for the past ten years.
Much of the original railway route has now been developed on but the campaign plans for the new line to use the old railway alignment where possible and divert around the existing built-up areas.
If the line was rebuilt, travellers could expect to get from Beverley to York in about 48 minutes.
The idea has some support in Market Weighton, which would be one of the places most affected.
Mary Waring, 68, of Langdale Road, said: "I think it would be a brilliant idea. I can still remember the original railway. When we were teenagers we used to cycle down to the station.
"I think it would make a difference to people coming to the town."
Others believe the plan would be too expensive.
East Riding councillor David Rudd said: "It would take congestion off the roads, would help commuters and help businesses.
"It's an aspiration but it's far too costly, and isn't one of our priorities at the moment."
