ELR disputes proposals to run commuter trains
THE chairman of the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has criticised suggestions that the heritage railway should host commuter services in order to boost transport links to Manchester.
A report published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and paid for by Rossendale Council proposes running shuttle services between Rawtenstall and Bury during the morning and evening peaks, with services continuing onto Manchester or Rochdale from an existing (albeit currently disused) bay platform at Bury that would be brought back into use.
The council claimed that Rossendale is currently the only borough in Lancashire without a national rail link, and struggles with severe congestion on the roads at peak times.
The study suggested that Vivarail D-Trains could be used for the service, while the line east of Bury (towards Heywood) should be returned to Network Rail’s ownership with the ELR having track access rights.
“Feasible options exist for investment which could deliver significant economic benefits, reduce congestion, and meet
environmental targets in a way which will not harm the valuable operations of the East Lancashire Railway, and may even be to their benefit,” the report claimed.
However, the ELR’s Mike Kelly told RAIL the report “highlights the same modal options that have previously been ruled out”, adding that previous studies (by Transport for Greater Manchester and Lancashire County Council) found that “commuter services would be wholly uneconomical”.
Kelly added: “As in previous failed studies which the railway has lived through, it can feel a bit like living next to a volcano which every few years threatens to erupt but eventually fizzles out. So, what’s ahead for the ELR? We simply carry on doing what we do best, which is to successfully run an awardwinning heritage railway much loved by our many thousands of visitors.”
The link is included in Transport for the North’s Strategic Transport Plan, but is only listed for consideration after 2027, a decision that Rossendale Council leader Alyson Barnes criticised.
“It is tremendously disappointing that Rossendale has been shunted down the list of projects, and has not been seen as a priority by Transport for the North in its 30-year strategy,” she said.
A spokesman for Transport for the North told RAIL: “There are a number of options for improving public transport between Rossendale and Manchester, which we believe would improve the connectivity and resilience of the Lancashire economic clusters.”
Network Rail confirmed that the council has not contacted the nation’s track and infrastructure owner for support.
“We have not been approached by Rossendale Borough Council regarding its aspiration for increased usage of the line between Rawtenstall and Bury. However, we remain open to any development which improves the railway for passengers and the economy in the north of England,” a spokesman told RAIL.
“We are being funded by Rochdale Borough Council to carry out a feasibility study into reopening the line between Heywood and Castleton for heritage services. The study is due to be given to the council in spring 2019 for review.”