ROSSENDALE Valley commuters are one step closer to a direct rail link to Manchester.

Pressure has been mounting on transport bosses to highlight the potential route as a priority for East Lancashire.

Rossendale Council is working with colleagues at the Bury and Rochdale authorities, East Lancashire Railway and the county council to develop a service which would run every 30 minutes during peak and evening times.

Now, after a meeting was held between the groups yesterday, members are positive about the multi-million pound scheme going ahead.

Coun Bill Challinor, deputy leader of Rossendale Council, said: “If we can get the commuter rail link restored it will play a big part in helping to regenerate Rossendale and bring greater prosperity to the bor-ough and its residents as it opens up employment oppor-tunities in Manchester, Roch-dale and Bury, and helps to attract new businesses into Rossendale.

“It will also take traffic off the road which will be very benef-icial to the environment.

“We know that there are other rail proposals in Lancashire, but feel that the commitments to the rail link made in the Pennine Lancashire multi-area agree-ment should be honoured.

“We will be making our case strongly to Lancashire County Council and other partners,” he added.

The Rawtenstall to Manchester commuter rail link was one of the schemes endorsed by the Government, the county council and other district councils in the borough, when they all signed up to the multi-area agreement earlier this year.

The agreement outlines the key projects considered imp-ortant in improving the economic prosperity of Pennine Lancashire.

Andy Coward, general manager of East Lancashire Railway, said: “It would be a great idea to introduce the commuter link.

“But enhancements to the equipment we have here would have to be made.

“Signalling would have to be enhanced for a start.

“But if the funding is available, then it would be a fantastic development.”