Fresh calls for reopening of Skipton to Colne rail line
The route was closed in 1970 - with a long running campaign calling for it to be reopened
A TOP Bradford Councillor has said the re-opening of a rail line would be a huge boost for Keighley and Bradford.
Councillor Andrew Judson (Reform, Keighley West) and Deputy Leader of Bradford Council raised the possible return of the Skipton-Colne rail line at a meeting this week.
Campaigners say the reopening of the 12-mile Skipton-Colne rail route would create huge economic benefits for the area, providing a direct rail link into Lancashire.
At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Weaver Network Board on Thursday, Cllr Judson asked officers if the Authority was supportive of the campaign.
The route was closed in 1970.
The board received an update on regional rail performance at the meeting.
Following the update, Cllr Judson said: “This is a little bit outside our area, but in the interests of Northern regeneration has this Authority publicly backed the re-opening of the South East Lancashire rail line?
“This is a stretch of line between Colne and Skipton, so we’ve got a direct line then from Manchester to Skipton.
“It’ll cost roughly around £300m.”
He asked if anyone at the Authority had spoken to Skipton and East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP), a group dedicated to the re-opening of the line.
“For Keighley and Bradford and for the universities, getting that line open and getting the people from those areas from Manchester, they can come round the top way and get to us easier.
“For Bradford and Keighley instead of going across and getting stuck in the traffic jam as it were, they can go round and have another direct link to Manchester.
“I personally think as a link that is a very important thing to go forward.”
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said officers would share the White Rose Rail Plan with members. The document identifies the priorities for what £45b announced by the Chancellor for rail infrastructure should be spent on.
She added: “That shows what we can deliver that is going to have the most impact for people in our region.
“You’re absolutely right, connectivity to Manchester is crucial, and that’s why the new station in Bradford is part of that work, getting Bradfordians to Huddersfield to get on TransPennine.”
Rebecca Cheung, lead policy manager, replied to Cllr Judson saying: “We are aware of that initiative and we are supportive. However, there are some funding challenges that would require Government support, so we all need to work together on this.”