Experts look to revive Valley rail plan

CO N S U LTANT S have been commissioned to revive feasibility studies into an ‘essential’ Valley rail link.

Rossendale council - in partnership with Lancashire County Council - has commissioned the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) to explore the ‘early strategic case for investment for the Rawtenstall to Manchester corridor’.

The route takes in large towns not currently on the national network, including Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom, and would involve tram-trains accessing the Metrolink network at Buckley Wells (Bury), or using a heavy rail curve at Castleton.

Any solution would need to ensure full integration with the East Lancashire Heritage Railway (ELR), who have reiterated previous ‘concerns’.

Rossendale council leader Coun Alyson

Barnes said they have commissioned the report at their expense to do an in-depth study.

She explained: “Rossendale is the only borough in Lancashire without a rail link and it is essential for our future prosperity that we get one. Delivering a rail link will fit into our wider strategy to vastly improve transport links.

“I know from talking to people and businesses there is strong support for a railway link. But we need to make our case based on strong evidence.”

The findings will be presented later in the year. Last month a National Infrastructure Commis-

sion report found that Rossendale had the worst traffic congestion – outside of cities – in England.

County Coun Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, said the county council is keen to support transport infrastructure.

He said: “This detailed study will ensure we have

the very latest information available to make the best case possible for future investment.”

The ELR said they understand the ambition to improve transport links, but said previous studies had found a commuter service to be ‘wholly uneconomical’.

Chairman Mike Kelly said: “We have to be concerned as to the potential impact of a commuter service on the continuation of our heritage operations, visitor economy and, crucially, retaining the passion and loyalty of our many hundreds of volunteers, where many have become disconcerted by previous transport studies commissioned by Transport for Greater Manchester in 2008 and by Lancashire County Council in December 2016.”