Sara Britcliffe, Member of Parliament for Hyndburn and Haslingden today pushed for progress on the reopening of the Skipton to Colne Railway, something that would benefit constituents in her area by opening up a new line to Leeds.
Sara asked Rail Minister Huw Merriman:
The reopening of the Skipton to Colne railway line, which is about 11 miles of missing track, will be fundamental in linking Lancashire and Yorkshire back up. Will the Minister consider progressing this line to the next phase of the rail network enhancements pipeline, which includes drawing up a full business case for reinstatement? Will he meet me and Members including our right hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson) and our hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Antony Higginbotham) to discuss it further?
The Minister responded:
I would be pleased to meet my hon. Friend and all right hon. and hon. Friends. The Department has been working with Transport for the North, Lancashire County Council and the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership campaign group to strengthen the case for reopening that line, but we will meet up and discuss that further.
Sara has since confirmed that the Department for Transport have been in touch and offered a meeting.
