A TRANSPORT minister has hinted re-opening the the railway line between Colne and Skipton is on the agenda.

He was responding in the House of Lords to an appeal by Pendle Peer Tony Greaves for the government to actively back the campaign to extend the East Lancashire line across the Pennines.

The Liberal Democrat told Lord Callanan: “There are missing railway links that need to be put back in the North of England, none more so than the Colne-Skipton link.

“It can provide not only a local service of benefit to local people in the region but a new strategic East-West route between the West coast and the East coast, particularly for freight.

“There has been a 20-year campaign for this, with half promises from government at all levels. Will the Government step in and put some oomph behind this proposal?”

Lord Callanan praised the work of the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership and promised: “They will be actively involved in the Transport for the North corridor study to consider potential solutions.”

Lord Greaves said: “My purpose was to bring the issue to the attention of the new Minister and I think in that it was a success. “

He added: “ His tribute to the work of the SELRAP volunteers was particularly welcome. The campaign will go on at all levels.”