[groundzeros2015]

It’s confirmed in the opening summary:

> A few of these routes have since reopened. Some short sections have been preserved as heritage railways, while others have been incorporated into the National Cycle Network or used for road schemes

> Some, such as the bulk of the Midland Metro network around Birmingham and Wolverhampton, have since been incorporated into light rail lines.

Furthermore, the transformation to other transportation forms suggests this event also coincides with changing technology.

[Certhas]

There are many more places that were never reconnected.

[groundzeros2015]

Indeed. Your rail was being subsidized.