WORK to develop new mainstream passenger rail link between Rawtenstall and Buckley Wells near Bury has been given £50,000 by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
It is one of three in the North-West to win cash from the government’s Restoring Your Railway ‘Ideas Fund’ but there is no mention of the long-awaited Colne to Skipton link.
Rossendale and Darwen Conservative MP Jake Berry said: “I’ve always been clear the restoration of Rawtenstall’s Rail Link is a key long-term ambition for the valley. It’s great to have this addition funding to drive forwards the business case for getting Rossendale back on track.”
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s deputy leader and Transport of the North board member Cllr Phil Riley said: “It is surprising and and disappointing to a degree that there is no mention of the Colne to Skipton line or upgrading the East Lancashire line from Preston to Blackburn.”
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