THE price of coal has KO'd a scheme to reignite a small part of the Forest's railway system by 'exporting' reclaimed pit waste from sidings at Whitecroft.
The news that the project is on hold was welcomed this week by West Dean Parish Council chairman John Marchant who said that the Whitecroft part of the proposal to reclaim tip waste from the former Eastern United pit at Ruspidge was set to cause uproar locally.
The scheme involved taking the waste through the woods to Mallards Pike and then by road to Whitecroft where it would be loaded onto the railway for transport to power stations.
Mr Marchant said that while he had no quarrel with the scheme he was concerned that the planning issues had not received proper local consideration.
The project, he said, was part of the Gloucestershire Minerals Plan and as such did not need Forest planning approval.
"Unfortunately very little of this has been aired publicly and as a result there are a lot of rumours. I can fully understand why residents in Whitecroft are fearful of the plans because nothing has been made known to them," he said.
But local businessman Nick Bull, the scheme's originator, said that for the present the railhead plan was moribund.
"It has been for six months now. It is all about the price of coal and at present it can be imported more cheaply than it can be obtained here," he said.
At present the tip waste was being screened and stone taken out and transported by road.
Mr Bull said that the Whitecroft part of the project was now awaiting better times.
"It would be very expensive as new sidings would have to be created. It is certainly on the back-burner at present but it may still happen," he said.
Mr Bull confirmed that all the consents necessary had been obtained.
Mr Marchant said the plans had caused huge concern to the recently formed Whitecroft Residents' Association.
"There are a number of issues here not least road safety, noise and dust. It is unfortunate there has been no local debate and that is at the heart of this issue," he said.