Opening up the existing freight line between the Robin Hood Line at Kirkby-in-Ashfield and the Erewash Valley Line has been talked about for some time with many local politicians backing the idea.
The new Network North plans announced by the Department for Transport this week follow the Government's decision to scrap the proposed northern leg of the HS2 scheme from Birmingham to Manchester.
The document says the Government will support local devolution across the Midlands by guaranteeing £1.5 billion funding for the new East Midlands City Region, empowering a newly elected Metro Mayor to create London-style public transport networks in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
The paper goes on to say the plans will be dedicated to improving lives and livelihoods among the 2.2 million people across the region.
Ideas muted in the Network North document include the potential to extend the Nottingham Tram system to serve Gedling and beyond Clifton South; to connect Derby with East Midlands Parkway with a Bus Rapid Transit System; and to reopen the Maid Marion Line to passenger rail services.
It does however say these plans are subject to the newly elected Mayor being onboard with the ideas.
Last year Ashfield District Council submitted a bid to the Restoring Your Railway fund to reopen the line to passengers, but the Department for Transport said at the time it would not be progressing with the scheme.
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