BURNLEY has had a period of solid growth in economic terms and the arrival of our new rail link should only improve upon this.

We had a five point plan for economic regeneration:

  • Investing in newly built schools and colleges – we’re focusing on skills and education, working with our local schools and further education providers to ensure that our future generations have the skills they need to compete for jobs in Manchester and beyond, as well as supplying a skilled labour force for our thriving local companies;
  • Attracting new and expanding businesses to our business parks. New companies are attracted to Burnley because of the skilled workforce and the transport links, including the recent deal by Exertis on the Burnley Bridge site which will bring more than 300 jobs to Burnley. Between 2009-2013, we’ve had an increase in jobs of 7.1 per cent – this is against a North West average of 0.6 per cent and a GB average of 2.0 per cent;
  • The £100m project to sympathetically restore the canal side Weavers’ Triangle, including the opening of the University Technical College, restoration of buildings for business, living and leisure use, and providing new public spaces in an area renamed On The Banks;
  • Improvements to our housing offer, including many new developments and regeneration and improvements to existing areas;
  • The final piece of the jigsaw is the improvement to our transport links. The relaunch of the Todmorden Curve service, providing Burnley with a direct train to Manchester for the first time in over 40 years, is another milestone in our economic growth. It will provide access to the jobs market in Manchester, giving people real choice in where they work. It will also stimulate the housing market in Burnley as people look to move out of the city and take advantage of our fantastic countryside.

We will also see an increase in our visitor economy. People from around Manchester can now easily take advantage of all we have to offer, from woodland walks and mountain biking, to visitor attractions such as Towneley Hall and the Weavers Triangle, and the award-winning Woodland Spa. We will no longer be a ‘best kept secret’, and the resulting boost to the local economy benefits the whole town.

It seems like a small thing, 500m of train track, but after nearly 10 years of partnership work, nearly £10m, plus the complete regeneration of Burnley Manchester Road Station, it’s been a huge project with far reaching consequences for Burnley’s economy. We’re doing really well in Burnley and we plan to keep getting stronger.