ELECTRIC-powered trolley buses run from wires strung above the streets of East Lancashire could be part of a transport revolution being planned for the area, it was revealed today.

The trolley buses would operate in areas where trains do not run, but would link these districts with the rail network.

Consultants called in by councils across East Lancashire to examine how public transport could be improved had been looking at the possibility of a tram network to link the area's towns.

But it now looks likely that the plan for trams, which involve the costly laying of track, will never get off the drawing board.

Trolley bus systems were popular in Bradford, Doncaster, Reading, Rotherham, Walsall, Wolverhamton Glasgow and south Lancashire, around Bolton, Leigh and Atherton, until the 1950s and 1960s.

The advantage of the electrically-powered buses is that there is no pollution from exhaust fumes, as is the case with normal buses.

The consultants, in their interim report, have also said they are concentrating on possible improvements to the rail network.

Their early recommendations include a new railway station in Burnley.

The report by Woking-based consultants Sinclair Knight-Merz says: "A number of initial ideas and opportunities have been identified.

"In summary they are proposing that a rapid transit system for East Lancashire could be based on the rail routes serving the area complemented by a core network of, for example, trolley bus routes. "In addition high quality feeder bus services would link into this core network at major hubs and interchanges."

The report, which was being discussed by Lancashire County Council's highways and transport committee today, says the effectiveness of East Lancashire's railways could be improved by:

Improved services operating half hourly, ideally every 15 to 20 minutes, seven days per week along with better rolling stock.

Improved links to Preston and Leeds, but especially to Manchester.

Integration of rail services in Burnley through the provision of a new station.

Concentration of Manchester services on Piccadilly rather than Victoria.

Improved inter-connection of services at Blackburn.

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