Colne to Skipton rail link bid gets national backing

12:50pm Friday 6th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

END OF LINE But support is growing for a line from Colne station to Skipton END OF LINE But support is growing for a line from Colne station to Skipton

AN attempt to reopen the Colne to Skipton railway line has won the backing of a national pressure group.

Campaign for Better Transport has written to Transport Secretary Justine Greening urging her to consider funding the reopening as part of the Government’s forthcoming rail investment plans.

A report, entitled Reopening Railways, said that reinstating the 11.5-mile link between the two towns could be done at a ‘relatively low cost’ and would provide economic benefits.

It proposes a number of measures to promote new or reopened lines and stations to match growing demand and help relieve rail overcrowding and road congestion.

Members of SELRAP (Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership) welcomed the group’s support.

Andy Shackleton, liaison officer, said: “This is exactly what we have been saying all along. Anything that comes along and says we backed this rail line has to be good news.

“We have said that this line would help disconnected parts of Pennine Lancashire gain access to better services.

“It would allow people in Colne to reach Skipton in 15 minutes and then use the electric service to Leeds.

“There is an economic gain to be had as well as advantages for tourism and regeneration.

“There are so many advantages to this scheme.”

The report, launched at the House of Commons yesterday, comes in the run-up to next year’s 50th anniversary of the Beeching report, which led to the closure of hundreds of railway routes.

Stephen Joseph, Campaign for Better Transport’s chief executive, said: “We believe that providing new or reinstated rail links and stations is the most cost- effective way of reducing carbon, improving quality of life for local people and helping the economy.

“That’s why we’re calling on the Government to create a ‘connecting communities’ fund which would complement the Government’s intention to devolve responsibilities for local rail services to individual councils.”

Comments (12)

1:54pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Reality50 says...

It's a no brainer to re open the line and certainly tourism to the Yorkshire Dales would boom if it would reopen and I suspect Burnley and Colne's Boundary Mill would benefit too.The problem is the cost and in times of cutting back on the railways I think it is unlikely in the medium term.I would like this line reopened and also the Manchester-Barnsley Woodhead line too.
It's a no brainer to re open the line and certainly tourism to the Yorkshire Dales would boom if it would reopen and I suspect Burnley and Colne's Boundary Mill would benefit too.The problem is the cost and in times of cutting back on the railways I think it is unlikely in the medium term.I would like this line reopened and also the Manchester-Barnsley Woodhead line too. Reality50

2:07pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Stuart Farquar says...

Is the Burnley to Todmorden line going to be re-opened ?
Is the Burnley to Todmorden line going to be re-opened ? Stuart Farquar

6:17pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Noiticer says...

It would be great if this line was reopened and would recreate a strategic missing link in the region's rail network to the benefit of many people. Unfortunately funding is a major hurdle and whilst millions are squandered on all kinds of wasteful projects rebuilding rail routes is not high on the list of priorities as it is in Scotland and Wales.
To the correspondent above - the Todmorden Curve will re-open in 2014
It would be great if this line was reopened and would recreate a strategic missing link in the region's rail network to the benefit of many people. Unfortunately funding is a major hurdle and whilst millions are squandered on all kinds of wasteful projects rebuilding rail routes is not high on the list of priorities as it is in Scotland and Wales. To the correspondent above - the Todmorden Curve will re-open in 2014 Noiticer

7:05pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Stuart Farquar says...

Noiticer wrote:
It would be great if this line was reopened and would recreate a strategic missing link in the region's rail network to the benefit of many people. Unfortunately funding is a major hurdle and whilst millions are squandered on all kinds of wasteful projects rebuilding rail routes is not high on the list of priorities as it is in Scotland and Wales. To the correspondent above - the Todmorden Curve will re-open in 2014
Ah thank you ;)
[quote][p][bold]Noiticer[/bold] wrote: It would be great if this line was reopened and would recreate a strategic missing link in the region's rail network to the benefit of many people. Unfortunately funding is a major hurdle and whilst millions are squandered on all kinds of wasteful projects rebuilding rail routes is not high on the list of priorities as it is in Scotland and Wales. To the correspondent above - the Todmorden Curve will re-open in 2014[/p][/quote]Ah thank you ;) Stuart Farquar

8:42pm Fri 6 Jul 12

2 for 5p says...

Think think think

Why was it shut in the first place: because it was unecconomical.
Now a days more people have cars: oh that means there be ev
en less people using it : that means it would be even less unecconomical.

You might as well make confetti out of money
Think think think Why was it shut in the first place: because it was unecconomical. Now a days more people have cars: oh that means there be ev en less people using it : that means it would be even less unecconomical. You might as well make confetti out of money 2 for 5p

9:33pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Rappide says...

I think it's great. There are larger populations in all the areas now and these would benefit from increased tourism, commuting, railway enthusiasts and more. Brilliant.
I think it's great. There are larger populations in all the areas now and these would benefit from increased tourism, commuting, railway enthusiasts and more. Brilliant. Rappide

9:44pm Fri 6 Jul 12

reasonedfactualdebate says...

I think 2p for 5p is a bit tuppence hapenny to the shilling if they dont think the world has changed in the last 40 years !

Whether the line should even have been closed in the first place is debatable. however that was in the 1960's and this is 2012. fuel costs are very expensive which affects car travel more as it is a higher proportion of total costs. People are using rail more and cars less as an overall trend.

To get anywhere from colne means you have to use a car - you will be surprised how popular this service will be. it might be worth electrifying it also so that through trains could run which would also minimise the amount of new trains needed. trains are safer then cars and produce nuch less pollution per passenger especially with electric trains.
I think 2p for 5p is a bit tuppence hapenny to the shilling if they dont think the world has changed in the last 40 years ! Whether the line should even have been closed in the first place is debatable. however that was in the 1960's and this is 2012. fuel costs are very expensive which affects car travel more as it is a higher proportion of total costs. People are using rail more and cars less as an overall trend. To get anywhere from colne means you have to use a car - you will be surprised how popular this service will be. it might be worth electrifying it also so that through trains could run which would also minimise the amount of new trains needed. trains are safer then cars and produce nuch less pollution per passenger especially with electric trains. reasonedfactualdebate

7:35am Sat 7 Jul 12

2 for 5p says...

If this line was to re open it would be known as the gravy train.
If this line was to re open it would be known as the gravy train. 2 for 5p

11:33am Sat 7 Jul 12

sim1846 says...

Great news getting this support to reopen the Colne to Skipton Rail Line, this link is so important, and By the way, they only reason it was closed in the first place is due to a mistake by the then Transport Minister, and one key fact that came out in the last few years is that, was it was run down on purpose, due to the fact it was seen as competition from the other Transpennine Rail Links at the time, then in Private ownership, and if you think about it, why would any Private owner invest in the railway, if you new that the Government was going to take control of the whole railway infrastructure.

By the way if nothing is done now to get this railway reopend, in 10 years time traffic would have gone up by the 21.9% as apposed to London which will only be 4.5% and that were they are spending a lot on Public transport at the minute.

From what I understand is that their are a number of Private investors out there, that want to invest in this project, for both Passenger and freight, with two inland ports to be built one in Burnley, and the other over the border, with full electrification from Skipton North Junction to Preston.

This is one on the reasons why the next Northern Franchise needs to be at least 20 years long, not 7 years, which is what some Local agency's want, and at the same time Track and train needs to be run by one company, to reduce running cost, and get rid of the Rolling stock owning companies, which most of them are Banks, ripping the British Public off.
Great news getting this support to reopen the Colne to Skipton Rail Line, this link is so important, and By the way, they only reason it was closed in the first place is due to a mistake by the then Transport Minister, and one key fact that came out in the last few years is that, was it was run down on purpose, due to the fact it was seen as competition from the other Transpennine Rail Links at the time, then in Private ownership, and if you think about it, why would any Private owner invest in the railway, if you new that the Government was going to take control of the whole railway infrastructure. By the way if nothing is done now to get this railway reopend, in 10 years time traffic would have gone up by the 21.9% as apposed to London which will only be 4.5% and that were they are spending a lot on Public transport at the minute. From what I understand is that their are a number of Private investors out there, that want to invest in this project, for both Passenger and freight, with two inland ports to be built one in Burnley, and the other over the border, with full electrification from Skipton North Junction to Preston. This is one on the reasons why the next Northern Franchise needs to be at least 20 years long, not 7 years, which is what some Local agency's want, and at the same time Track and train needs to be run by one company, to reduce running cost, and get rid of the Rolling stock owning companies, which most of them are Banks, ripping the British Public off. sim1846

1:42pm Sat 7 Jul 12

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123 says...

there is no financial/job creation/importance/
tourism.reasons for this line to re.open,so forget about it!!!
there is no financial/job creation/importance/ tourism.reasons for this line to re.open,so forget about it!!! ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123

3:05pm Sat 7 Jul 12

sim1846 says...

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123 wrote:
there is no financial/job creation/importance/

tourism.reasons for this line to re.open,so forget about it!!!
Sorry mate; your wrong, it has been proven beyond doubt, in quite a few studies now, and has many backers in fact it's got a much high cost benefit ratio than the A56 Village Bypass.
[quote][p][bold]ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123[/bold] wrote: there is no financial/job creation/importance/ tourism.reasons for this line to re.open,so forget about it!!![/p][/quote]Sorry mate; your wrong, it has been proven beyond doubt, in quite a few studies now, and has many backers in fact it's got a much high cost benefit ratio than the A56 Village Bypass. sim1846

9:22am Thu 19 Jul 12

paperboy70 says...

They also need to permanently start passenger services between Manchester/Blackburn
/Clitheroe and Hellifield too - the line is already there and its a nonsense that you can't get the train to Skipton.
They also need to permanently start passenger services between Manchester/Blackburn /Clitheroe and Hellifield too - the line is already there and its a nonsense that you can't get the train to Skipton. paperboy70

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