The restoration of passenger services between Rawtenstall, Bury and Manchester has taken the next step towards coming to fruition.
Thanks to the success of Rossendale Council's bid under the Restoring Your Railways Fund, it will now receive funding from Lancashire County Council and the Department for Transport towards the cost of making a Strategic Outline Business Case.
The announcement is an early win for the project in creating a regular passenger service using the East Lancashire Railway as a base, which runs heritage services between Heywood, Bury Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall.
This new proposed line would see a journey time of around 50 minutes into Manchester and would reduce car journeys on the M66 / A56 by between 1 and 3 million.
As the infrastructure is already in place, the link would be relatively low cost and would also see the tram system used with a new interchange at Buckley Wells to allow for a fast connection with Metrolink.
Plans would see the heritage line operate a similar timetable with steam trains and signalling protected, as well as the ELR volunteers.
The original line closed to passengers in 1972 and now means Rossendale is the only borough in Lancashire without a rail link.
The Business Case will build on the previous work and will aim to show the benefits of the proposal in relation to its cost.
Rossendale Borough Council says rolling stock similar to the Vivarail Class 230s could be used on the route.
Rossendale Council Leader Alyson Barnes said: “This is a huge step forward for the link that is very much needed for Rossendale to help in securing the local economy with inward investment, job creation and also the environmental benefits that the link could bring. The sheer hard work of Rossendale Council to not let this project die has helped to secure this funding.
“We value the East Lancs Railway and we would not have supported a solution that damaged the heritage railway, which is a valuable and much loved asset for Rossendale. This really is a possible way forward and further dialogue is needed between the partner organisations.”
Cllr Barnes continued: “Rail reopenings take considerable time and there will still be challenges ahead but this is a good step forward for our economy, environment and the thousands of people that have to struggle on the congested road system”.
County Councillor Charlie Edwards, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Improving transport links within and beyond Rossendale with a focus on expanding people's travel options beyond car use is one of the priorities identified in our highways and transport masterplan for East Lancashire.
“Rossendale's natural geography is one of its greatest features, but also places constraints on what is viable and affordable in terms of creating better transport links.
“It therefore makes complete sense to explore the use of the existing heritage railway infrastructure to create a regular passenger service to Manchester, and investigate the case for the further investment which could help to unlock greater opportunities for people in Rossendale, while enabling the local economy to grow sustainably.
“The Restoring Your Railways fund depends on local partners showing their commitment to the progress of schemes through match-funding and I'm pleased to give our backing to this important study.”
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How will this harm the ELR?
yes this is real good to restore the railways that were closed and the canals too.. the fact is its helps with alot natire and to restore trees that they take away and replace with oaks and good trees,, the fact is railways from here to there and helps the traffic and co2 footprint from cars, and busses by making it electric will also help and light rial even better,.,
I fail to see how they could say that they “would not support a solution that damaged the heritage railway”. In my view it is guaranteed to damage the heritage railway. A comment from the heritage railway on what they think of the plan should have been included in the article.
As already mentioned, we have contacted the ELR for comment and are still awaiting a reply, we will update the article when/if we receive a reply
Wow – does that mean I can go back to the career that was stolen from me when I took a position in 1966 at Textile Machinery Makers in Helmshore just before Mr. Beeching Chopped the Line?? It’s only taken 56 years to come full circle.
Why not extend the existing tram service northwards from Bury? This could support the communities at least as well as, if not better than, the heritage line.
The ELR had originally poured cold water on this proposal. Your article only gives one side of the story with Rossendale being happy with the outcome, so what about the ELR. Personally I think this plan is fraught with problems that could cause major issues for the heritage line.
We have contacted the ELR and are awaiting a reply. We can then publish this accordingly
Why not just extend the steam railway?
If this gets the go ahead I belive it will eventually lead to the closure of the ELR