THOUSANDS of tonnes of coal from a controversial opencast mine could be transported on a railway line that was redeveloped for tourism.

UK Coal hopes to use the Weardale line by building a coal depot on a former steelworks in Wolsingham, County Durham.

The plans could result in 1,500 tonnes of coal a day arriving in Wolsingham in 77 lorry loads from UK Coal’s Park Wall North opencast mine, in nearby Sunniside.

From Wolsingham, UK Coal can access the main rail network delivering coal and fireclay, used in making bricks, nearly anywhere in the country.

Steve Raine, from the railway, said: “It would give a significant boost to the railway and, in particular, it would help us set up a community rail service providing a regular link to Bishop Auckland.

“At the moment, we only run a heritage rail service.”

Residents of Attwood Terrace, near the site of the proposed depot, said their lives would be blighted by coal dust, noise and dangerous traffic.

Some said lorries would travel only 15ft from their back doors.

Surveys show that the lorries would pass 47 homes in Wolsingham.

Alternative routes to transport the coal on the A68 would mean lorries passing 789 homes going north and 448 homes going south.

Mr Raine said using the Wolsingham depot would also result in a 4,200-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to using another depot.

The contract with UK Coal would last four years, with the depot receiving lorries from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Six jobs would be created, and proposals include building barriers to reduce noise, and using strict measures to control dust.

Mr Raine said the plans were still at the consultation stage, with a planning application yet to be submitted.

Durham County Council approved plans for the 127- hectare mine a year ago, ten years after campaigners stopped a larger development.

Wolsingham Town Council will meet at 7pm tomorrow in the town hall to discuss the plans.