England's Economic Heartland (EEH), the sub-national transport body covering a broad sweep of the south Midlands, including Northamptonshire, are consulting on connectivity across the region, between Oxford, Northampton and Peterborough.  They have rightly identified that rail provision is very much dominated by the main lines radiating out of London, with precious little linking between them.  The consultation takes the form of a 'call for evidence', and, of course, it is not just about railways.  Indeed, post-Covid, the need to travel at all may be permanently somewhat reduced.  Further information can be found here:
https://www.englandseconomicheartland.com/our-work/connectivity-studies/peterborough-northampton-oxford/  
Though Market Harborough is outside EEH, it is only so by a few hundred yards and many of its users live in the EEH area or (pre-Covid) commuted to towns etc well within EEH (e.g. Kettering, Bedford and Luton).  We therefore submitted a response, welcoming the forthcoming improvements that East West Rail (Oxford - Cambridge) will bring via interchange at Bedford, but noting other gaps.  We support in principle other proposed developments, such as the Welland Valley Rail Partnership proposal for a Kettering - Peterborough service mostly using existing lines, as well as the tentative proposal for reopening between Market Harborough and Northampton as part of a longer inter-regional link.  All of this is in the context of changed travel patterns post-Covid and the need for more environmentally friendly and low-carbon alternatives to the present almost complete dependence on private cars.
The consultation closes on 30th June and we await both the outcome and further forthcoming studies relevant to our area.

At the 2019 AGM on 11th November, Harborough Rail Users reviewed the past year’s activities and set the scene for campaign topics for the next year.
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A busy year
The past year has particularly busy, dominated by the major reconstruction of the station and the franchise changeover from Stagecoach East Midlands Trains (EMT) to Abellio East Midlands Railway (EMR).  Debate has continued about electrification, though we now have greater clarity about future rolling stock for the line.  HRU has also dealt both with day-to-day matters concerning the train service, and much longer-term matters such as the recent proposal to reopen the line to Northampton. 
Again, HRU has played a full part in consultations and has maintained contact with relevant organisations including the rail industry, local authorities, local elected representatives, and transport user representative groups.  The willingness of EMT, EMR, Network Rail and others to meet and discuss various matters was noted, as was the continued support of the local MP and councillors in pressing for further improvements.  The HRU Committee were thanked for all their help and support throughout the year.
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Campaign priorities for the year ahead

1. Market Harborough station.  Though the rebuild associated with the new track alignment is substantially complete, we shall continue to press for enhancements to the new station including accessibility arrangements; toilets on the southbound platform; better shelter and waiting rooms; cycle parking; and short-stay parking in the new car park.  We await news from EMR of plans they already have for some of these.  EMR and Network Rail are planning an opening event in December 2019 when the full length of platform 2 is due to open, along with the car park extension and the refurbished subway, and we discussed ideas for related commemorative activities.
2. Train services.  We shall continue to press for improvements to the timetable including, but not limited to, earlier northbound first trains and later last southbound trains.  We shall take part in consultations about future timetables, especially for the major re-cast planned for December 2020, when the Corby electric service is due to start.
3. Rolling stock.  Rolling stock plans for the short- and longer-term have now been published.  We shall take part in any consultations on the interior fit-out of the new Hitachi bi-mode trains that are due to enter service from 2022. 
4. Electrification.  Associated with the Corby line electrification and its planned power substation at Braybrooke, we support the intended ‘last mile’ electrification into Market Harborough.  We support extension of Midland Main Line electrification northwards as well; a decision on this may become associated with decisions on whether the eastern branch of HS2 proceeds.
5. Northampton Line.  We support the recent proposal for the reopening of the Northampton Line, noting that a short section of new route would be needed around the outskirts of Market Harborough. We note that the proposal includes ‘compensatory provision’ for the Brampton Valley Way cycle track along the route. 

The reorganisation of local government in Northamptonshire means that the County and all the District Councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils from 1st April 2021: West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire.  In preparation for this,  there has been consultation on the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan, looking at planning and infrastructure for the area.  It includes a proposal to reopen the line between Market Harborough and Northampton as part of ‘North–South Rail’.  As well as providing a useful local connection, it would be part of a valuable inter-regional route linking Nottingham, Derby and Leicester with Northampton, Milton Keynes and, potentially, Heathrow Airport via the planned Crossrail and HS2 interchange at Old Oak Common in west London.  It would also complement 'East-West Rail', which is planned to reinstate the rail link between Oxford, Bedford and Cambridge. 
As the section of the line within Market Harborough has been lost to redevelopment, a short new section would need to be built around the outskirts of the town.  Provision would also need to be made to replace the popular Brampton Valley Way footpath and cycle track along the route.  Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, has stated that he is 'very supportive' of the idea.  Harborough Rail Users will consider the proposal at its forthcoming AGM on 11th November.  However, in response to requests for interviews by local press and radio, HRU Chair Steve Jones gave his personal support for a line that would fill a major gap in the region's rail services.  Though the consultation is now closed, further information can be found at:
https://westnorthantsplan.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/WNSPIssues/consultationHome