A FIGHT to reinstate a rail link between East Lancashire and North Yorkshire will continue whatever happens on June 8, according to a campaigner.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson had called for a debate on the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) before the General Election was called.

In a House of Commons debate tributes were paid to SELRAP’s championing of the route over the past 16 years.

Mr Stephenson said: “I hope the debate will help to shape the Government’s transport policy over the next five years, not just the next 43 days.”

Rail minister Paul Maynard said a 'powerful' case had been made for the line’s revival, as public transport experts examine East-West connectivity issues over the Pennines.

Earlier this year a transport study commissioned on behalf of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership identified a lack of rail links between the counties.