RAILTRACK is considering the redeveloping the former Parkside Colliery site at Newton.

Their feasibility study will become the subject of a public consultation programme with the local community and authority later this year.

Railtrack acquired the site in September last year and any new scheme will bring it back into productive use in line with the Government's coalfield regeneration initiative.

Railtrack development manager, Julie Wrigley, said: "Parkside is in a good location because it is strategically located near unrivalled road and rail connections.

"We are undertaking a number of studies to assess the range of rail-related freight development options in addition to an environmental analysis of the site.

"Once these have been completed and assessed internally, we will undertake extensive consultation with the local authority, the local community and other interested parties to develop our plans to the next stage.

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