Petition Build the new Colliery at Marley Hill (near Tanfield)

1. Providing an enhanced right of way rail network.

2. Providing additional 2km extension to the heritage railway line from Tanfield Railway to Byermoor.

3. Increasing tourism on the Tanfield heritage line. This is proven to be the case with the Bluebell Railways extension, as annual visitor numbers increase by 60,000 since it was reconnected to the mainline network. The Bluebell line also carried 250,000 passengers in the year after its extension from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead opened in March last year.

4. Encouraging more business for rail freight, Rail is a lower CO2 emission contributor then road transport.

5. Creating many more jobs in the area.

6. Adding to the economy.

7. The site will be restored to a rolling landform in keeping with its surroundings with valuable habitats for wildlife incorporated.

We, the undersigned, hereby petition UK Coal Surface Mines Ltd to go ahead and build the Marley Hill Colliery near Tanfield and Gateshead.