(Image: Stephen Barney)
A new project could see the East Coast Main Line powered by community-owned renewable energy.
York Community Energy (YCE) aims to use clean power generated by the community to fuel the East Coast Main Line and parts of Yorkshire’s rail network.
The group has secured funding from the Great British Energy Community Fund, administered by the North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, to assess the potential for a direct renewable energy connection to the rail network.
Richard Lane, co-chair and renewables lead at YCE, said: "We have the opportunity to do something really special here in Yorkshire: the first place in the world where a nation’s railways are being fuelled by power from its people."
York Community Energy is collaborating with Riding Sunbeams, a social enterprise specialising in connecting solar energy to railways.
The proposed project would use the feeder station at Hambleton Junction to supply clean electricity to the East Coast Main Line, and potentially the future-electrified Leeds-Hull line.
Kirsten Ayris, director and engagement coordinator at YCE, said: "Like all of our infrastructure, the railways must make the transition to life without fossil fuels."
The first public event for the project will be held on Wednesday, August 5 at Hambleton Village Hall.