The Missing Link - Part 1

The First Train from Colne to Skipton for 37 Years. April 1st 2007
http://www.selrap.org.uk

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• SELRAP
• Colne
• Skipton
• Railways

[SkiptonEastLancsRAP]

We are convinced it will work here.The Scottish parliament favours rail re-openings, England does not, that makes it harder. Hellifield - Clitheroe is not an alternative - look at a map. Road haulage? Try driving the A56 from Colne to the A59 (what killed it was Castle). Diesel at £1.31 per litre, and rising, good for rail. Finally, poor & uncomfortable service=low take-up, but look at the footfall on the Airedale line since electrification.

[May11th1983]

Have a look at the huge success achieved in the numerous Scottish railway re-openings, most of which are close to the main road network. If it works so well there then why not here?

[Amarok635]

Nice idea, but no chance of it working.

There is an existing connection for freight between Clitheroe and Hellifield just a few miles up the line from Skipton , with all the track and signals in place and they can't even open that for scheduled passenger working! Just theodd steam special to carlisle.

[BFCboi]

Road Haulage was a factor in killing this line off. The situation is no different nowadays. The train cannot ever compete with road haulage on this line on a £ for £ basis, unless the back end of the train going through Colne was long enough to reach back to brierfield! With local Industry in demise, the only way forward is the Bypass.

[BFCboi]

I agree. I lived opposite this line at colne boundary for years. You could count an average of 5 heads each time the train went past. Its a lame idea. Stick to the special once a year! At least that train gets packed out! We need a bypass, not this crazy idea.

[fwidewice]

come off it, no money would come off a crazy idea like this. Why not get a better route to manchester, more money, jobs and social improvement. what about the wildlife implications around the area. think of the future not rose tinted past

[squeakmillward]

if it was reopened where would you park in colne?

the station car park holds about 10 cars LOL

if you have to drive out of colne to a park and ride you may as well keep driving!

[halsalli]

Best of luck SELRAP. Let's hope common sense prevails and the East Lancashire towns get to tap in to the successes of Leeds and Manchester. I pray that common sense prevails

[twocvbloke]

I actually live on the street across from the station (Leach Street) and I did actually want to go on this train, but unfortunately it slipped my mind and I forgot to get a ticket!!! :(

Personally, I want to see the railway rebuilt, I have no car or driving license, so the only way for me to get about is to walk, go by bus or go by train, and at the moment, the train is what I use most as it's faster and cheaper. Bring back the line and bring Colne back to life!!!

[cleckheatoncentral]

sorry for being a pain, but on the map extension of the line to Addingham has been missed. I think this is an important extension of the Embsay&BA railway:

1) the line actually ends somewhere that tourists and locals may use

2) travels through some great countryside