In reply to Kate:
I agree with what was said during the BBC1 news report. If disused railways are going to be used for anything, it should be cycleways and footpaths. Building more roads (whatever they are made from) will never be a suitable solution to our traffic problem. Promoting other forms of transport and reducing uneccessary journeys may not be either, but its cheaper, better for the environment and healthier for those who choose to do so. Disused railways are perfect places for cycleways as they don't have steep gradients and wouldn't cost much to bring into use.
Iain
