RAIL services will be scrutinised by councillors at a forthcoming public meeting.

Ribble Valley Council’s economic development committee has set out new plans to improve rail services across the borough, which will be discussed at a council meeting on Thursday.

A report, which will be presented to committee members, has been compiled outlining two key ‘issues’ regarding the rail network in Ribble Valley.

The committee will first consider a response to a recently-announced Lancashire County Council cabinet report, which has recommended its withdrawal of financial support to the Clitheroe interchange facility based at the railway station. Following this discussion, members will look at the possibility of developing rail services to Yorkshire and enhancing current services to Blackburn and Manchester.

Council officers have held initial discussions with a rail specialist, based at the county council, to find out whether future rail services can be developed towards Hellifield and on to Leeds and Lancaster. There were also talks held regarding the feasibility of building new rail stations at Chatburn, Gisburn and elsewhere.

There is also a proposal to extend the current half hourly service, which runs from Blackburn to Manchester, all the way to Clitheroe, with possible additions so people in the Ribble Valley can use public transport to access late night events in Manchester.

It is believed an enhanced timetable would provide relief to the 284,000 passengers that used the Blackburn to Clitheroe service last year.

It has been recommended to committee that they make preparations for a ‘detailed’ consultation response to the council on their plans to close the rail interchange.

Committee members could also receive a more detailed briefing by County Hall rail specialists and representatives of Northern Rail about the feasibility of the rail enhancements. The proposals will be discussed by councillors at Clitheroe Town Hall from 6.30pm on Thursday.