Monday, November 16 2009
A report by transport consultants JMP into the wider economic and social impacts of re-opening the TransPennine railway between Skipton and Colne was the trigger for a major conference organised by the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP).
The conference, attended by leading politicians and more than 100 delegates, heard JMP director Dr Alan Beswick say that the city links on the key route between the city regions of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds/Bradford were vital to the campaign.
He said that the likely cost of reopening the 11.5 mile rail link that closed in 1970 was £40 million as a single track and £80 million as a double. But he pointed out that railway use had grown phenomenally in the past 15 years. “There is a consensus that rail is going to form part of our future,” he added.
Leading lights from the rail industry, such as Adrian Shooter (Chiltern Railways) and Dr Paul Salveson (Northern Rail) were among those who outlined the benefits of rail development and how they could be taken forward in the current economic climate.
Among the politicians who spoke were the Shadow Secretary for Transport, Stephen Hammond, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker, North West Euro-MP Chris Davies and Pendle and Skipton MPs Gordon Prentice and David Curry.
A conference report by SELRAP is being prepared and will be available shortly, but in the meantime the report by JMP is available at www.selrap.org.uk.