BLACKBURN with Darwen's regeneration boss has pledged to lobby for more investment in transport links to the borough as he welcomed a major report promising improved rail connections between East Lancashire and Manchester.

Last week Transport for the North published its Strategic Transport Plan and £70billion investment programme.

It highlighted improving links to Manchester from Burnley, Rossendale and Blackburn as key elements of the later phases of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Other proposed investments include journey time and capacity upgrades on the East Lancashire line including service improvements between Colne and Accrington.

Clr Phil Riley, a board member of TfN, said: "We welcome the strategy and the investment plan. There are schemes in there that will benefit the borough and the wider region.

"Despite tough times, Blackburn with Darwen has managed to pull in major investment to improve the borough’s transport links and some major schemes are set to be delivered in the next few years. We will continue to lobby for more money for our and the region’s infrastructure."

Subject to approval the plan will be officially adopted by TfN on Monday, February 11 at a conference in Sheffield.

It would then become its statutory advice to Government.