A new study into the potential reopening of a historic Lancashire to North Yorkshire rail line was announced on Saturday 3 February by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
The Transport Secretary announced the feasibility study into the value of reopening the Skipton to Colne railway on a visit to Colne Railway Station.
The 12-mile route, which last ran in 1970, could create a faster rail route across the Pennines and allow new passenger services between Lancashire, Skipton and Leeds, connecting towns on the route to new jobs and education opportunities.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:
“We are carrying out the biggest investment in the North for a generation and are committed to improving rail links to boost the Northern Powerhouse. The historic line between Skipton and Colne could deliver a vital link across the Pennines to boost business and move goods between the east and west much more quickly. I want this study to look clearly at the business case and value that the line could provide.”
The study is being co-commissioned by the Department for Transport and Transport for the North and is due to be completed later this year. It supports Transport for the North’s ambition to improve connectivity in the central Pennines corridor.
Transport for the North’s Chief Executive, Barry White, said:
“We are delighted that the Department for Transport has committed to exploring the possibility of reopening the railway line between Skipton and Colne. We will now work with the Department, taking note of previous work undertaken, to produce a cost and economic benefit study for re-opening the line.
“In our recently published draft Strategic Transport Plan for the North, we identified the Central Pennines as one of seven Strategic Development Corridors vital to future economic growth in the North.
“This work could help to improve connectivity in the Central Pennines and a reopened rail link between Skipton and Colne could create a new, faster freight-route across the Pennines as well as benefiting passengers with new services between Lancashire, Skipton and Leeds.
“This supports our vision of a thriving North of England, where modern transport connections drive economic growth and support an excellent quality of life.”
The government has said it will explore opportunities to restore capacity lost under the Beeching and British Rail cuts of the 1960s and 1970s, but to be successful, schemes must unlock housing and growth, ease crowded routes, meet future demand and offer good value for money. It has set aside significant funding for the development of new railway schemes in the next railway funding period from 2019 to 2024.
The Secretary of State, Chris Grayling, made the announcement whilst meeting with local rail campaigners and Councillors from Barnoldswick, Colne and Earby along with representatives of the local business community.
Business representatives included Geoff Cowley, the Managing Director of the Wyndham Group who employ over 300 in Earby, Dennis Mendoros OBE, Chairman of the Pendle Vision Board and Miranda Barker, the Chief Executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.
The reopening of the rail line between Colne and Skipton, has been something Pendle MP, Andrew Stephenson, has been campaigning on for several years. A Patron of the local rail campaign group SELRAP, since 2010, Mr Stephenson led a Parliamentary debate on re-opening the line in April last year and hosted a round table meeting with stakeholders in November.
Andrew Stephenson MP said “I’m delighted the Transport Secretary accepted my invitation to visit Pendle and has announced a new study will be undertaken on reopening the Colne to Skipton railway line. His visit is further proof of this Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse. I backed the campaign to reopen the line in my maiden speech after being elected eight years ago and have been pushing on it ever since. This study is our chance to demonstrate the business case for reopening the line, which I believe would provide a huge economic boost for Pendle and the wider region.”
Rt. Hon. Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, said “I am delighted with the Government's announcement of a feasibility study into the value of reopening the Skipton to Colne railway. I pay tribute to all the campaigners and I look forward to working with my colleague, Andrew Stephenson MP in helping to deliver the next stage of this railway line to the benefit of both our constituencies."
Chairman of Colne Town Council Cllr Paul Foxley said “Colne suffers from being the end of the line, meaning our local rail services haven’t been invested for years. Re-opening the rail line through to Yorkshire therefore present a significant opportunity for our area and would have a very positive economic impact on Colne. Colne is already doing really well, but the news of a fully funded study into re-opening the line is a tremendous boost for our area.”
Chairman of West Craven Area Committee, Earby Cllr Mike Goulthorp said “Re-opening this line would provide fast public transport to the rest of East Lancashire, Preston and Manchester, as well as to important nearby towns and cities such as Skipton, Leeds and Bradford. The re-opening would also provide a real economic boost to Barnoldswick and Earby by opening up new employment opportunities, attracting inward investment and further enhancing local tourism.”
Pendle Central County Councillor Joe Cooney said “This is an exciting announcement which brings us a step closer to unlocking the potential of the line. Andrew Stephenson MP deserves huge credit for securing this investment from the government.”
Local Colne shop owner (Live Like the Boy), Ash Sutcliffe said “The reopening would be a huge boost to Colne’s retail businesses opening up our amazing town to a whole new market of shopper. It will also be great news for young people who want to live in Pendle but study, work or visit further afield.”