RAILWAY routes closed 40 years ago could be re-opened as mini railways or bus-only expressways to boost public transport.

Extra stations could also be opened and East Lancashire's two existing railway tracks could carry up to four trains an hour under plans by the East Lancashire Partnership.

David Higgerson reports...

DR Beeching's cure for conditions crippling the railway industry in the 1950s and 60s was itself crippling.

Now, more than 40 years on, work has been done to breathe new life into the very lines he axed. It supersedes a plan to install electric-powered trolley buses to link communities and town centres to existing railway stations, which was scrapped after a study deemed they would not be cost-effective.

The East Lancashire Partnership -- an organisation made up of the area's six councils plus Lancashire County Council -- commissioned a study in 1999 to look at how a 'rapid transport system' could be set up, providing quick, efficient and clean ways of travelling. Instead, new bus routes will link town centres and communities to railway stations.

And the Partnership is focusing its research on increasing the number of trains running along two existing railway lines, as well re-opening the branch lines shut down during the 1950s and 1960s.

The ultimate aim is to have a transport network made up of train and bus services which inter-link at key 'interchanges' at Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Rawtenstall and Clitheroe.

Today Rob Birch, from the campaign group Ribble Valley Rail, said: "We welcome improvements to the service but would hope that the potential for freight on the railways is also taken into consideration. There is scope to open more stations, although I would like to know which lines shut by Beeching they are focusing on. In some places though, there can't be any more services until there is more track. Stretches of the Manchester to Blackburn line are only single track."

Nick Briggs, Transport co-ordinator at the East Lancashire Partnership, said: "We will be looking at each of the lines which were closed and seeing what we can do. It may be possible to re-open them as railway lines, that is what the study is about.

"But in some cases, we may be able to create what are called guided bus routes. These are effectively roads which are for use exclusively by buses. This speeds up journey times without taking the buses too far away from communities, because people used to walk to stations on the route when the railways operated."

Railway lines currently run from Preston through Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley and on to Leeds, as well as from Manchester to Clitheroe, via Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton.

Mr Briggs added: "Another part of the study involves looking at existing railway routes. We believe that we can get up to four services an hour along the two lines. At the moment, only one service an hour runs down the entire length of the two lines. One option being considered is using lighter rail vehicles which are capable of stopping more frequently than the heavy rail ones which operate long distance.

"This opens up the possibility of opening new train stations in places which have railway lines but no stops."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The effect of closing railways was that people had to use the roads.

"Getting a good transport network, and particularly a good public transport network, has to be a top priority to make sure the area prospers in the future."

David Taylor, chief executive of the East Lancashire Partnership, said: "It is about bringing East Lancashire together as one and making it easier to move around within the area. A good transport network is vital for the future of the area."

The Partnership's goal is to have the project completed by 2010. Redevelopment to Burnley bus station and Blackburn Railway Station form part of the project.

Another part of the project is the development of 'Quality bus routes' which use new buses, run frequently and have user-friendly, lit bus stops. One such route, developed through Pendle, has seen passenger numbers increase by more than 10 per cent in the last year.

The county council's environment director, Graham Harding, said: "East Lancashire deserves a public transport system that reflects its status as an up and coming part of Lancashire.

"The Rapid Transit blueprints show a system that would rival the best in the North West and put the area firmly on the map.

"It is important that we meet the needs of our communities and that is why so much planning and research is going into the project."

Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We have to make it easier for people to move around East Lancashire overall and that is why public transport is so important."