An East Lancashire MP has launched a petition to bring a new railway line to Rossendale.
Andy MacNae, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, is pushing the government to develop the City Valley Rail Link between Rossendale and Manchester.
He outlined that “the timing couldn’t be better”, with the government planning to rebuild the railways and “promising a fairer deal for smaller towns”, and the seemingly imminent arrival of former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Mr MacNae said: “I have the privilege of representing two proud areas, Rossendale and Darwen.
"They share a great deal, but in one respect, they could hardly be more different.
“From Darwen, you can step onto a train and reach Manchester every half hour. From Rossendale, you cannot catch a train at all.
"That contrast sits at the heart of why I am fighting for the City Valley Rail Link.
“Rossendale is the only district in Lancashire, and the only one in the whole of the North, without a commuter train service.
“It is barely 15 miles from Manchester, yet it has been left off the map while neighbouring towns, Darwen among them, have kept their connection for generations.
"Rather than a quirk of geography, this was a choice, and it’s one which we have the power to change."
Labour backbencher Mr MacNae has proposed that the track could run from Rawtenstall, through Ramsbottom and Bury and on towards Manchester Victoria.
The line he is referring to is the home of tourist attraction the East Lancashire Railway, which he hopes can be used to run alongside commuter trains.
He added: “What makes it so achievable is that the line is already there. We are not asking for a new railway to be carved across the valley.
"The track runs from Rawtenstall through Ramsbottom and Bury and on towards the same Manchester Victoria that Darwen’s trains already serve.
“It carries trains every week. It simply needs bringing back into everyday use, which is what keeps the cost far below that of building a line from scratch.
“Today that track is home to the East Lancashire Railway, the heritage steam and diesel service that draws around 200,000 visitors a year. We are not trying to get rid of that.
“The plan is for commuter trains to run alongside the heritage service, sharing the line rather than replacing it.
“The heritage railway stands to gain from this, with better-maintained track and a steady stream of new visitors from across Greater Manchester.
"I will only support a plan that protects it, and I want to shape that plan with the people who have given so much to keep it running.
“The East Lancashire Heritage Railway have not engaged with these proposals, but their cooperation is vital to any future commuter line.
“For Rossendale, the difference would be felt every day. Almost a quarter of working-age residents already travel into Manchester for work, most of them by road.
"A reliable rail journey of around 45 minutes would open up jobs, training and opportunity, and make the area far more attractive to employers.
Read more
Major road closed as extreme heatwave temperatures 'soften surface'
MP in touch with officials after fatal train crash at level crossing
Next phase of work to improve bus and traffic flow set to get underway
“It would ease the daily crawl on the M66 and the valley roads, take hundreds of thousands of car journeys off them each year, and clear the air a little in the process.
“We would have an open conversation with the families who live closest to the line as the plans take shape.”
The Bee Network and expansion of bus and tram services around Greater Manchester, boosting public transport connectivity in the region, is regularly held up as one of Andy Burnham's biggest successes as mayor.
He is currently favourite to succeed Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, with many MPs hoping for more focus on the north if he gets into Number 10.
The petition is on Mr MacNae's website, under Bring the Railway back to Rossendale.
Share