New Rochdale to Ribblehead train service will stop at Hellifield, council says

COUNCILLORS have urged the public to take advantage of a train service between Greater Manchester and Hellifield that is set to begin in June.

Train operator Northern has confirmed a weekly Saturday-only service between Rochdale and Ribblehead via Manchester Victoria, Bolton, Clitheroe and Hellifield will operate from Saturday June 8.

Northern said the service will be called the Yorkshire Dales Explorer with further details set to be released closer to June.

The Dales Rail train service previously ran on Sundays from Blackburn and Clitheroe to the SettleCarlisle line at Hellifield but was cancelled last year.

The changes were discussed by York & North Yorkshire Combined

Authority trains officer Graham North at a meeting of Skipton and Ripon councillors on Thursday.

Coun Simon Myers (Conservative, Mid-Craven) said the new Saturday service will improve travel times and called on people to make sure it is well used.

He said: “I’m really pleased. The main thing is that people use it. That’s is what will determine its future.” Coun David Staveley (Conservative, Settle & Penyghent) said Hellifield station has a lot of potential due to its location.

He added: “It’s been ridiculously low-hanging fruit for far too long. Locally it was said from Hellifield, being an interchange station, you could get anywhere in England.”

Network Rail completed a £550,000 project to refurbish the

Victorian station in the 2010s. Another councillor said the station had potential to expand further if people use it enough.

Coun Andy Solloway (Independent, Skipton West & West Craven) added: “If people use it, then we can start expanding it. Hellifield is a brilliant station and it’s a natural connection for people using the SettleCarlisle line.”