CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 1 CravenRail The magazine for SELRAP: - the Skipton-East Rail Action Partnership Issue 15 Winter 2010/11 May 2010: ”We will reform the way decisions are made on which transport projects to prioritise, so that the benefits of low carbon proposals (including light rail) are fully recognised”.....c onfirmed [to SELRAP] by the Coalition Government as commitment to rail reopening[s] June 2010: “Well-judged capital spending by Government can help provide the new infrastructure our economy needs to compete in the modern world” ..... George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer

July 2010: “The Government supports the reopening of railways in principle”..... Theresa Villiers, Rail Minister

August 2010: "This Government is about much more than cuts" ..... Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister I guess the ultimate affirmation of this collective intent would be a Coalition Government commitment within this Parliament to secure the reopening of the Skipton- line ..... Ed. Overlaid on to the Northern City Regions, the strategic route map says it WCML, CARLISLE & SCOTLAND, CARLISLE, E ECML, SCOTLAND & all ..... SOUTH LAKES, SCOTLAND CUMBRIA, YORKS DALES NORTH EAST CUMBRIAN COAST & Carnforth Harrogate MORECAMBE Bolton Abbey (planned) YORK Ilkley Skipton Shipley

THE MISSING Keighley LINK Colne BRADFORD LEEDS • ECONOMIC Clitheroe Blackpool Rosegrove Nelson GROWTH HULL & • JOBS PRESTON EAST COAST • REGENERATION Wigan PORTS Todmorden Halifax • CONNECTIVITY Bolton Rochdale Huddersfield • SOCIAL & Doncaster MOBILITY MERSEY PORTS Manchester Airport • TOURISM Crewe WCML, LONDON & ECML, LONDON & WEST MIDLANDS EAST MIDLANDS For more reasons than one, the time frame for turning rhetoric into the reality of a brand new trans-Pennine route via Skipton & Colne is 2014-19 NORTH WALES Diagramatic only. Not all lines/stations shown Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership LINKING CITIES AND REGIONS ACROSS THE NORTH

Patrons: Richard Bannister; Lord Tony Greaves; Rt Revd Nicholas Reade; former MP . MPs Gordon Birtwistle; ; Anne McIntosh; Julian Smith; Andrew Stephenson. MEPs Chris Davies; Jacqueline Foster; Timothy Kirkhope; Brian Simpson; Diana Wallis. CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 2

2 TIMELINE TOWARDS REOPENING THE SKIPTON- COLNE RAILWAY ..... 2014-19 Contents 2006: Autumn conference paves the way for SELRAP to commission the JMP study 2007: JMP study published. Concludes that there is a business case [with a BCR of up to 2.43] for reopening the Skipton-Colne rail line as part of a new trans- Pennine route for passengers and freight 2008: Within the Lancashire & Cumbria RUS, indicates that funding is the remaining obstacle to reopening the Skipton-Colne line 2009: Speaking at Autumn conference, [then] Shadow Transport Ministers, MPs, MEPs, Consultants, Planners & Rail Industry Top Brass combine to conclude that the case for reopening the rail line between Skipton and Colne is now proven beyond doubt. And that the time has come to move towards delivery of this landmark project. FRONT COVER Clearly illustrating SELRAP’s strapline: Linking Cities and Regions across the North: Also in 2009: And the fact that reopening the Skipton-Colne line is the key to unlocking a strategic transport corridor that will open up countless journey On a visit to , opportunities for both passenger and freight traffic. Lancashire, (pictured left) whilst acknowledging that funding for This edition of CravenRail focusses on options for reinstating rail routes is an issue, spoke in support of transforming rhetoric into the reality of a brand new rail the restoration of the Skipton- route that will turn around the economies and Colne rail line. expectations of an entire region. And beyond. And Nick Clegg said: SELRAP is currently exploring innovative, cutback-busting funding options for rebuilding the Skipton-Colne line. “The work and dedication of SELRAP to reinstate the Colne to Skipton rail link is Read on for more on SELRAP’s exciting and far reaching highly admirable. The success of this project will create new business and regeneration campaign that has metamorphosed mindsets ..... opportunities for the surrounding area. This will bring untold benefits to the local people of Lancashire and Yorkshire. I am very pleased P 3: COMMENT ..... to put my support behind this project.” On short termism. And potential antidotes ..... 2010: Mindful of the above, SELRAP develops options for 4 IT’S BEEN QUITE A TIME SINCE ..... funding the groundbreaking rebuild: 4 IMAGINE YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE ..... • Taking the project forward ourselves via a Project 5 JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS Development Group as outlined by JRC Consulting in a 5 THE WAY FORWARD report recently commissioned by SELRAP www.jrc.org.uk 6 INFORMED, PROFESSIONAL, PERSUASIVE • Persuading the DfT to include the rebuild within the ITT (Invitation to Tender) for the [possibly re-worked] 6 RESONSE REQUIRED Northern franchise post 2013 7/8 PENNINE LANCASHIRE PERSPECTIVE • Persuading potential bidders for the above to include 9 SUPPORT the rebuild as an incentive/sweetener 10 NEW PATRONS • Persuading a private company to take on the rebuild on the back of industrial/housing and/or regeneration 11 JOINED UP THINKING development opportunities the new route throws up 11 GETTING CLOSER • Persuading a freight operator to fund the rebuild on 12 MEMBERSHIP FORM & CONTACTS the back of access charges paid by future users • Via recently-floated £1bn Regional Growth Fund, Local 12 FROM THE CHAIR Economic Partnerships et al 12 NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME • Persuading the Government to fund the rebuild as a 12 MEETINGS SCHEDULE pilot ..... based on best practices ie. more for less, as per [Value for Money Study] Professor Roy McNulty SELRAP has many friends who continue to make the campaign the success it plainly is. You, the reader, can • Persuading the EU to [at least] part-fund the rebuild as help progress this far reaching scheme still further by part of a new east coast-west coast port-port route lobbying any of the countless bodies and organisations ..... and part of the Trans European Network mentioned in this edition of CravenRail. But don’t stop • The formation of a consortium based, maybe, on a there. Spread the message still further. If you represent hybrid combination drawn from the above. the media, then ask what [more] your publication can do More on all of the above later. But you’ll see where to move minds towards a rail reopening that has been SELRAP’s headed next. That said, if you, the reader, has eloquently described as a “no brainer” ..... further inovative suggestion[s] for progressing the You might also care to join SELRAP ..... Skipton-Colne line rebuild, we’d appreciate them ..... CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 3

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Dream to Reality: On short termism: By the time you read this, the world’s All too often attended by impressive displays of sentiment from the great and good, media will have moved on. But it won’t make the high profile rescue of 33 hindsight is a wonderful facility. Indeed, from the beginning of time it has served as a miners in Chile the less amazing. universal get out of that clause for bad decisions on a wide front The same might be said of Nelson And nowhere is this hypothesis more three dimensionally demonstrated than the British Mandela’s long walk to freedom in the rail industry. Its convoluted history being littered with all shades of political and face of crushing apartheid. Or, from the other side of the Atlantic, fellow planning decision that might have been put together on the back of an envelope. civil rights activist, Martin Luther King. The UK rail network developed in a fragmented fashion and entirely in response to Who “Had a Dream” ..... contemporary commercial demands. As for strategic routes. That concept was for All of which, is a long way from a another age. But like it or lump it, the towns and cities, major industrial centres, ports voluntary campaign to reopen a and everything in between that combines to deliver our unique, diverse and railway? sophisticated economy are a direct result of the development of rail transport. Or is it? For somewhere in there is a common thread of chipping away at Post-war optimism led Prime Minister Harold McMillan to tell the nation they’d never had seemingly impossible odds in the it so good. And of the glowing future we were all to enjoy. Teenagers, pop music and certain knowledge of ultimate success. indoor bathrooms. A brave vision of a full employment. Concrete. Consumerism. And there are parallels to be found in Cars for everyone. With empty roads to drive them on. A brand new economy of with railways: industrial estates and out of town shopping malls trailing in the wake of the motorway. In short, a nation fixated with road nirvana that was to drive all of that modernity. 20 years from concept to reality, As for the railways: in a multiple outbreak of short term policies aimed at returning the and now lauded network to profit, they were to be modernised. But then, having failed to deliver on the by the media, “Tornado” is the latter, they were to be “reshaped.” You know the rest: a half-sized and much simplified first express network that is currently creaking at the seams with capacity issues on a wide front. steam locomotive to be built in the It is easy to say I could have told you so. But imagine, if you will, a tabloid tale of UK for almost fifty Britain’s [non-profit making] roads that went something like this:: years. Road network to be reshaped: Taken on Glasgow Central station in 2009, the fuzzy photograph of the It has emerged that, faced with a raft of budgeting issues, Britain’s deficit-hit destination board below should not transport bosses are considering cuts to the road network. The huge costs of have been possible. snow clearance and gritting operations, followed by those for repairing frost For, was not the damage caused by this year’s exceptionally cold winter, are thought to have line to Larkhall been factors in taking an unprecedented decision to examine previously closed in 1965? inconceivable options. Behind this is the unavoidable fact that although total traffic movements on the UK’s 250,000 miles of public roads currently exceed 320billion vehicle miles annually, 65% of them are carried on just 30,000 miles of roads described as “major routes.” As though to The Department would neither confirm nor deny leaked proposals, stating that “It is at an early prove the stage in considering means of reducing the ongoing costs of providing Britain’s 250,000 mile road point, Larkhall and motorway network.” But that options being considered might mean closure of some of the station site after closure. country’s least used roads. Or those where alternative routes exist. But campaigners finally saw the line The cul de sac where you live closed & dismantled ‘cos it doesn’t turn in a profit. The B reopen in 2005. And in its first year of road linking Dogmarton to Mantraster cut off as a through route, and dismantled, since operation carry 350,000 passengers both are also served by the A road on the other side of the valley...... fully 50% more than anticipated. Bonkers, isn’t it. ‘Cos without effective transport, nothing else works. And without it entire economies and their dependent communities would simply fall apart. Think Same site; about it. But ..... isn’t that ..... the tale of the nation’s railways by another route ..... new station. 33 minutes Back in the real world, with alternative rail transport all too often a distant memory, after leaving road congestion racks up an eye watering cost to the economy of £20 billion per year. Glasgow, the Added to which, sadly, is the cumulative cost of road traffic accidents that syphon off a 13.57 arrives in Larkhall. further £30 billion. And that’s before our “free” roads are cleaned, gritted, cleared of So ..... the impossible simply takes a snow, repaired and upgraded. But no matter, ‘cos all of this expenditure is described as little longer. But what’s this: empty investment. Whereas the £4 billion spend on rail continues to be described as subsidy. trackbed of the Skipton-Colne line. But, bubbling to the surface is belated acceptance by politician and planner alike that the added value of the whole of the rail network, including that to society, is greater Or is it? For reopening the than the sum of individual routes that may or may not make a paper profit. Together route is such with the growing realisation that communities, societies, businesses, industries and a compelling individuals need the kind of connectivity that only rail transport can offer if that 21st idea that this train simply century mantra of sustainable economic growth is to progress beyond party manifesto. couldn’t wait for rails ..... Mindful of the latter, sooner rather than later there has to be a peep beyond reduction of the deficit ..... towards the need for upgraded and new infrastructure capable of Meanwhile, SELRAP’s ongoing dream of the line reopened as part of a brand driving and supporting sustainable economic revival and growth. new trans-Pennine rail route heads And, with ticks in all the right boxes, the Skipton-Colne line will make an ideal pilot ever closer to reality. project that could be used by the Coalition Government as a benchmark of best Read on for more ..... practices for further infrastructure enhancement projects ..... Andy Shackleton: Editor CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 4

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IT’S BEEN QUITE A TIME ..... IMAGINE ...... since SELRAP’s biggest event ever. When ..... that you were a committee member of a Shadow Transport Ministers, MPs, MEPs, voluntary campaign group. That top drawer Consultants, Planners & Rail Industry Top Brass personnel [up to Ministerial level] had made it agreed that the case for reopening the rail line clear your campaign had proved its case. And between Skipton and Colne is now proven beyond that the time has come to move towards delivery doubt. And that the time has come to move of the £multi-million project. towards delivery of this landmark project. You’d seek the advice of professionals. Who had done this sort of thing before. Wouldn’t you ..... Thus, one of the first tasks SELRAP undertook post-conference was to commission a study to investigate just how to progress delivery of the Skipton-Colne line rebuild. Sponsored by Colne Connected, Jonathan Roberts Consulting was commissioned to carry out the work. The major thrust of the report, entitled “Next Steps for SELRAP” points to the need to Described in the media as a national event in all establish a Project Development Group. www.jrc.org.uk but name, our 2009 conference proved to be a pivotal moment in the campaign to reopen the Recommendations contained within the report are Skipton-Colne rail line. outlined below: NB For full report, visit www.selrap.org.uk The quotations below show just why: • Timescales for inclusion of Skipton-Colne line • “The point that the Government needs to clearly within investment budgets for Control Period 5 understand is the connectivity that this line can give (22014-19) tight, but do-able. Thus political across the city regions, the whole northern hub” prioritisation & project development need to be • “We’re talking here about a new electrified east-west link, undertaken in parallel and all the regeneration that will come with it” • Requires focused organisation/appropriate • “Transport is key element to effective regeneration” membership and funding. With clear objectives • ”Treasury & DfT wrong to consider money spent on roads re specification & inclusion in forward budgets as investment, yet that on rail as subsidy” • “Change in philosophy from planners is needed: to look The suggested membership • Membership of PDG guided illustrates the extent to which beyond next election & towards 30 year [plus] transport by connectivity new line will actions to improve the policies. Also towards longer franchises” transport network for Pennine offer [in particular] Pennine • “Local authorities, businesses communities should engage Lancashire and the Lancashire ie to: Leeds, with groups like SELRAP: an organisation that has its neighbouring City Regions Manchester and Central head screwed on properly” require a highly focused and Lancashire City Regions co-ordinated structure, if all • “Cut the red tape. Get on with it. Watch the regional major governmental and • Remit for PDG should also transformation.” delivery stakeholders are to embrace other relevant rail A full conference report was published in align their resources and priorities. projects in region. Thus, CravenRail 14. You can see it by visiting Jonathan Roberts, suggested working title: www.selrap.org.uk Consultant “Pennine Railways.” Read on for post-conference progress. But before • PDG membership seen as: national that, for those new to SELRAP, and for any who organisations, railway infrastructure owners & need reminding ..... operators, crucial regional stakeholders, local WHAT SELRAP IS ABOUT: and regional government bodies, inc. from the A voluntary group with over 1400 members, wider communities served by the project: supporters, affiliated groups & supporting 1) Communities & Local Government, DfT, organisations, the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Network Rail, Passenger Focus, Rail, Rail Action Partnership was established in 2001. Led Freight Group, Sustrans by an Executive Committee with task-specific 2) Local Economic Partnerships for North West & officers, SELRAP is driven by a passion to see the Yorkshire/Humber regions, Regional Skipton–Colne railway line rebuilt as part of a Government offices, Northern Rail, SELRAP much-needed new trans-Pennine route for passengers and freight. And sees this imaginative 3) Local authorities within wider corridor of route and groundbreaking scheme as a pilot project for & on both sides of the Pennines inc Lancashire further strategic rail reopenings. & North Yorkshire County & City Regions Support for SELRAP’s campaign is little short of 4) City Region Integrated Transport Authorities astonishing and includes, at the time of writing, and PTEs: Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire 151 MPs, 44 UK MEPs, 80 Peers and 304 Councils • Suggestion that all of this be guided by a steering committee, with across the North of . Including, crucially, SELRAP is currently seeking a both Lancashire & North Yorkshire. a working group to drive high profile individual/organisation delivery. And overseen by to “front” this groundbreaking some sort of secretariat. project. Read on for more on this ..... CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 5

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JUST FOLLOW THE STEP BY requirements, land aquisition & THE WAY FORWARD STEP INSTRUCTIONS Parliamentary Procedures. Mindful of the recommendations within Publication of the JRC report Follow up with detailed design, the JRC report, published in May 2010, proved to be yet another pivotal then engage contractors. Two SELRAP has developed a number of point in the campaign to reopen years later, hand over rebuilt options [set out on page 2 of this issue] the Skipton-Colne railway. Skipton-Colne line as part of a aimed at progressing reinstatement of the new trans-Pennine rail route. Skipton-Colne rail line to reality. Sounds simple: Well, actually ..... there’s a bit A single glance at suggestions for Project Form a high powered Project more to it: Development Group Development Group as outlined membership points to within the report; develop the The following article by a major task for a GRIP (Guide to Rail Investment SELRAP’s Vice Chairman, Peter Nowland, takes a peek beyond specialist professional Projects) to level 4 (Single organisation. But, option selection). Then raise JRC ..... towards options the report has spawned in the with an established funding for construction, whilst track record that progressing through the current era of ever more accountable expenditure. redefines the meaning necessary planning permission of “impossible”, with the parallel aims of Adrian Shooter takes a BACK TO THE FUTURE peek @ SELRAP seeking further advice Twelve months ago we were busy planning SELRAP’s Autumn Conference literature and setting the scene entitled “The Skipton to Colne Railway - The Key to Unlocking a Strategic Transport National Transport Corridor.” Minister Norman Those involved in conference planning saw the need to influence the use Baker & Nigel of public money to progress the rebuilding of the Colne-Skipton Rail line Harris, Editor to reality. Indeed, hints from the panel of speakers pointed towards the Rail Magazine pictured @ the availability of funding for a further study from within Pennine Lancashire. Lib Dem But, at a follow up meeting in 2010, SELRAP representatives were told Roundtable that since public funds were to be cut, this was now unlikely to be an event. Note option. SELRAP Unsurprised by what was heard, there was a dawning of a new hope, not information a publicly funded hope. Perhaps the private sector of our economy would pack ..... lower offer an opportunity to build a partnership with an entrepreneur who right of shot! grasped the importance of our 11½ mile stretch of missing rail line that: for the eventual formation of a Project • Will link the north of England’s major cities Development Group SELRAP embarked on • Is a key to reconnecting Lancashire and Yorkshire a programme of strategic meetings and • Provides an alternative national cross country railway route presentations with/to: • Connects important City Regions with tremendous economic advantages • JMP Consulting www.jmp.co.uk of employment and trade • Pennine Lancashire Leaders & Chief • Opens up the development of the key tourist industry across the wider corridor. Executives (PLLACE) www.penninelancsplace.org You may well at this point be asking the question, “If the recession is so • Adrian Shooter, Chairman Chiltern bad, and industry is affected as badly as everybody else is, where could Railways www.chilternrailways.co.uk an entrepreneur find the large amounts of money needed to build and run • The Railway Consultancy Ltd. www.railcons.com a railway?” But some individuals and companies still have large surpluses and, with low interest rates, may be seeking business opportunities that • Rail industry/Lib Dem Party political will bear fruit when times get better. conference roundtables in partnership With all of this in mind, SELRAP has taken a decision to seek a company with Bechtel, Siemens & Systra or group of companies who could partner SELRAP, and join us in our • Fringe event @ Lib Dem Conference vision of “Unlocking a Strategic National Transport Corridor.” • Angela Smith MP ..... Chair of all party So in some ways we are starting to go “Back to the Future”. Back to Parliamentary group to promote where railways began. For it wasn’t governments, local or national who investment in rail in the North of built our infrastructure. The Railways of Brunel, Stephenson and their contemporaries were built with private risk capital. England that supports economic growth. SELRAP’s executive has already engaged with a number of companies • Lib Dem North West Conference linked with rail reopenings. Organisations that use innovative ideas to • Northern Rail www.northernrail.org fund rebuild[s]: • Kilbride Group www.kilbridegroup.com • Offset capital costs by building domestic and/or commercial property for • Balfour Beatty Rail www.bbrail.com sale • Developing rail/road freight interchange terminals/hubs, for final • Members of the Eurpoean Parliament distribution [only] of goods by road • Using innovative construction techniques, enabling the finished railway to become a test bed and outdoor showroom of best practices. It is interesting to see that the German railway operator Deutsche Bahn has now set its sights on competing with the airlines and arch rival Eurostar between the UK and the Continent. It is also interesting to note that DB has taken over the freight operations of EWS, and is the parent company of Arriva, Chiltern and Wrexham & Shropshire TOCs. Maybe they [or another major player] could play a part in the rebuilding of the Colne-Skipton line. They are certainly investing heavily in the future. As the winter season approaches, SELRAP looks forward to interesting times in our campaign to see the Skipton to Colne Railway rebuilt. SELRAP’s Liaison Officer, Andy Shackleton, presents the case for Peter Nowland: October 2010 reopening the Skipton-Colne railway to Members of the European Parliament in Brussels CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 6

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“INFORMED; PROFESSIONAL; PERSUASIVE” RESPONSE REQUIRED ..... is what they say about SELRAP. Which goes SELRAP’s views are frequently sought by public some way towards explaining why so many high bodies in connection with transport issues. powered individuals and organisations are And has recently made submissions to: prepared to take time out from busy schedules to • Local Transport Plans (LTP3) for both Lancashire offer advice and practical assistance aimed at and North Yorkshire. These set out County reopening theS kipton-Colne line as part of a new Council policy for up to 10 years from 2011 trans-Pennine route. • DfT Franchise Consultation. Important for SELRAP And here’s the rationale: since longer franchises might mean TOC investment in infrastructure • Transcends counties and regions ..... thus part of • Regional Growth Fund consultation. Important for strategic rail network SELRAP since this pot is aimed at supporting • Links East and West Coast main lines projects offering economic growth and job creation • Links City Regions of Liverpool, Manchester, ..... esp. in areas heavily reliant on public-sector Central Lancashire and Leeds • Rail Value for Money study. Since SELRAP • East coast/Mersey ports link ..... thus land contends that Skipton-Colne line would make an bridge with European dimension ideal pilot project of best practices. • Trans-Pennine capacity increase It was impressive to meet the SELRAP team recently at our offices in Leeds. The for passengers and freight organisation should be congratulated on putting together such a persuasive, • Makes better use of existing professional and detailed case for the line’s reopening. In addition to this the hard under-used asset (Colne branch) work put in to win over hearts and minds will be vital to the eventual success of your campaign. Often success depends on making friends, shaking hands and • Achievable without disruption to building enthusiasm to make it happen at all levels. For without enthusiasm and existing rail services belief, few ideas come to fruition. And even the best ones need to be sold. • Potential for commuting within / At Northern we feel it is a great time to be involved in railways and public between City Regions outlined transport as passenger numbers continue to grow and demand even during above difficult economic times is at a high. The electric services on the Aire Valley with their modern, quiet and frequent timetables to Leeds and Bradford has • Potential for better rail access undoubtedly brought prosperity to the region, improved access to jobs, services [from Yorkshire] to Manchester and major centres. Airport These benefits cannot be underestimated when you press for new linkages as • Opens up journey opportunities they will be key to the success of your campaign. We run railways not for the for Pennine Lancashire to many pleasure of trains but for the wider benefits they bring to our communities. The new destinations ..... inc for economics of local rail services taken alone would be unlikely to be profitable, but 20,000 residents of West Craven the additional benefits they provide to the regions, communities and the area of Lancashire, who economies they serve are well documented. currently have no rail services The next stage of your campaign should be to work on these benefits known as ‘Agglomeration’ benefits. They can be measured and a positive outcome could • Low level freight route [with no make all the difference to whether we are one day standing on the platform at significant tunnels] & avoiding Skipton peering north as through the mist appears a shiny unit bedecked with Manchester passengers all vying to be on the inaugural express! • Potential for electrified east-west At Northern we would be delighted to operate any new service. We are route passionate about local railways, and will offer our support to SELRAP in the coming years as friends and colleagues. As they say in the film Field of Dreams • Aire Valley and Calder Valley “build it and they will come.” demonstrate that economic Steve Butcher growth follows improved rail Deputy MD Northern Rail service • Economic and social regeneration of Pennine IN THE FRAME Lancashire No surprises for guessing that, "Kilbride has met with the SELRAP team again in • Access to job opportunities in Leeds [100,000 in following the combined advice of Consultants, Transport September 2010 to discuss next 10 years] & Manchester [150,000] progress on the [Skipton-Colne] Planners, Civil Engineers, UK & • Tourism & leisure opportunities project and share any common European Politicians, Train areas of expertise and • Environmental benefits Operating Company top brass knowledge in support of the • Sustainable transport, low carbon et al, SELRAP’s “to do” list scheme." • Policy fits within L & NYCC local transport plans grows ever-longer. Peter Frost, Managing Director, • Broad base of support for campaign In the frame for the near Kilbride Group future are: • Improves attractiveness of public transport www.kilbridegroup.com • Lancashire & North Yorkshire • Modal shift eases pressure on roads County Councils • JMP report shows physically possible “SELRAP have done a • Network Rail tremendous job of putting t • BCR conservative @ 2.5 despite ‘loadings’ • Alternative Train Operating heir figures and their case required by DfTT & no allowance for freight forward.” Companies traffic “I think it [Skipton-Colne line • Government Ministers rebuild] is something that, • Every other re-opening has exceeded maybe, the British Venture expectations • Members of the European Capitalists Association, or Parliament alternative fund managers, • Value for money: £43 million cost to create new might look at.” • British Venture Capitalists trans-Pennine route. Godfrey Bloom, MEP for Association Yorkshire & North • Maybe you! Care to help ..... L i ncolnshire CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 7

7 A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE MATTERS Says the strapline for England’s fourth largest local authority. And with good reason. For not only does Lancashire boast the largest concentration of advanced manufacturing employment across the north of England, it has large areas of high quality coastal landscapes, outstanding upland areas and a diverse range of market towns and rural hamlets. The writer should know. For he lives there! And appreciates them all. But lurking beneath the surface in parts of the region is undeniable deprivation. The sort of deprivation that surfaces [and years later, remains] when ther ug of traditional employment ist ugged from beneath entire Electrified rail regions it spawned and supported. Only to be services link Skipton with Leeds compounded by removal and/or downgrading of rail & the East Coast Main Line. connectivity. In hindsight recognised as the antidote Cutback-busting electrification is still on cue for upgrading to this all too familar outcome. services linking Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Blackpool Supported by the County Council, Community Rail & the by Partnerships are now making simply amazing efforts 2015. and progress. That said, the following article offers And the gap in between: 15 arch viaduct: Burnley an angle on rail services in one corner of the region: Pennine Lancashire! Hourly 2 car Pacer service THE GREAT TRANSPORT INJUSTICE Social problems within parts of East to change on the line’s primitive train My main reason for joining SELRAP was Lancashire caused by collapse of the services, or ever-more backward stations the great sense of injustice I felt for East manufacturing world late in the twentieth that lack electronic departure screens, Lancashire’s rail facilities. In particular, now Until then, we will continue to allow ourselves a jealous common at when compared to other parts of the glance over the hill to Skipton where we can clearly see the country in similar proximity to major bus stops population centres. benefits a good 21st century rail service can bring! nationwide. century have been well publicised. Now in my mid thirties, the railway A reconnected trans-Pennine Colne to Without long term support to gain better between Colne and Skipton was, sadly, Skipton route coupled with a re-instated economic prospects, once-proud towns dismantled before I was born. However Todmorden Curve could transform the face a very uncertain long term future. that didn’t stop it playing an important whole picture for East Lancashire, and part in my early life and childhood, as I I do not consider a succession of bring our rail service into the 21st enjoyed many walks along the “old Government handouts to be the answer. century. As the gap between our local railway” with my Grandad. A better economic outlook would be for economy and other more prosperous people to be able to maintain their own areas grows, it could help bring renewed hope for all. I am not sure what my Grandad would make of it now. He probably wouldn’t be surprised as we have had to get used to Nelson Interchange station. First getting second best rate facility. But the line ends just Rope operated level Colne station: the end of the line. in these parts. 2 miles north in Colne crossing: Nelson For now ..... What I do know is something has to be done to end this Other great adventures with my property without state intervention. Grandad began at Colne railway station great transport injustice, and to give our A new railway isn’t going to solve every itself. Train trips to far flung destinations area what it deserves for a brighter problem overnight, but it will certainly such as London and Edinburgh paved the future. I, and other hard working help to reverse the current trend of way for a strong understanding of members of ‘SELRAP’ won’t rest until decline. In the modern world people geography, travel and railways from a something positive is done. need access to major population centres. very young age. Around the period of Skipton: less than a dozen miles away: This will allow areas like ours to benefit 1979–86, these were fantastic times that 40 minute electric service to Leeds from the fall out from their superior I will never forget. But we had a major employment, education and leisure problem in that we could only ever go opportunities. Handy for both one way from Colne. For, despite our Manchester and Leeds, with friendly geographic position it was not possible to people and lovely scenery on the go to Yorkshire. doorstep, Pennine Lancashire could and 25 years on, we hear talk of High Speed should be a place that people choose to railways, yet here we are with this relocate to. The current trend where current shocking excuse for public young people head off to university and transport on our own doorstep! never return to the area is very sad. This Pennine Lancashire has a significant trend has to be reversed to give our area population, and yet a succession of a brighter future. I firmly believe better With up to 6 trains per hour on the governments have, it seems, left our transport links to cities can and will help Airedale line local railways to rot, when they could in improve this situation. But until then, we will continue to allow fact become the lifeblood of the area. In the meantime we will keep fighting for ourselves a jealous glance over the hill to Well located, and in close proximity to what we deserve. For, beside Burnley’s Skipton, where we can clearly see the the major cities of Leeds and Manchester, new college and university campus, trees benefits a good 21st century rail service I challenge anyone to get to either on a grow out of the huge railway viaduct that can bring! daily basis by public transport. strides across the town. Where little seems Michael Holehouse, Colne CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 8

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PUBLIC FUNDING The Coalition Government has made it clear that, for the foreseeable future, the availability of public funding for projects on a wide front will be an issue. That said, in this year’s budget statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, stated that Well-judged capital spending by Government can help provide the new infrastructure our economy needs to compete in the modern world. Recognition, at Government level, of the need for effective rail links with regional economic drivers if social, economic and regeneration issues are to be addressed in an affordable and sustainable fashion. And where better to prove the point: A PENNINE LANCASHIRE TRANSFORMATIONAL AGENDA: Surrounded by beautiful countryside, with countless opportunity for outdoor leisure activities, Pennine Lancashire is a very attractive place Clearly showing the to live. The proximity of Pennine Lancashire to both Manchester and remarkable impact of Leeds should offer easy access to a wide range of facilities and regeneration in the Pendle District of opportunities. But poor public transport and crowded roads mean that Pennine Lancashire: journeys to these major regional centres can take over 2 hours for Before & [still just 35 miles. As a result of these transport deficiencies, much of the receiving the region remains isolated from both Leeds and Manchester, which are finishing touches] the main economic centres in the North of England. after: Nelson Parts of Pennine Lancashire SELRAP has developed an contain housing that is innovative solution to the amongst the worst nationally, problem of low demand, with very poor stock condition negative equity, and housing and very low demand resulting market collapse in the virtual collapse of the housing market in many areas. As a result, the region was designated as one of the previous government's nine housing market renewal pathfinders, with a budget of several £million. Unfortunately the Housing Renewal programme alone will not provide a lasting solution to the basic problem of isolation and economic decline in the area. But SELRAP has developed an innovative solution to the problem of low demand, negative equity, and housing market collapse in towns across the region. Restoring the Skipton to Colne rail line will improve business links and enable a journey or commute from eg Colne or “Surrounded by beautiful countryside, with countless opportunity Nelson to Leeds via the Aire Valley in an hour. This would initiate for outdoor leisure activities” Economic Recovery and Regeneration, develop business, create Regeneration at its finest: employment and improve economic prosperity, the environment, Set to a backdrop of , Nelson, Lancashire community safety, cohesion, educational attainment and health. It will also improve transport all across the Central Lancashire City Below: region and Airedale, bringing sustainable economic recovery and Funded with a mix of public & private finance, the prestigious regeneration across the wider region. Number One Market Street office complex and highly acclaimed ACE [Arts, Cultural & Enterprise] Centre. The Skipton to Colne line would also allow a direct Manchester to Skipton [via the Todmorden Curve] train service in just over 1 hour, But where now for investment ..... also linking Rochdale, Todmorden, Burnley and all the towns of Pendle. Pennine Lancashire will become a place where people choose to live, With connectivity to both Leeds & thus increasing the demand for better quality housing. Indeed there Manchester restored would be an increased demand for all forms of housing, and many via the Skipton-Colne private developers would be only too willing to become involved in rail line [and improving the housing stock. Todmorden Curve], This will in turn reduce the need for direct development & public many more private developers would be funding for Housing. only too willing to In Conclusion therefore, the Skipton to Colne Railway is not just an become involved. option. In order to make Pennine Lancashire a place where people choose to live, work, visit and relax, it is essential. Chris Laycock, Group Secretary, SELRAP

Look no further than the rough and ready barometer of property prices for proof of the link between rail connectivity and economic activity: At £210,000, the average price of a house in Skipton is twice that of Colne & Nelson, just a dozen miles away. Yet light years apart in terms of rail connectivity. Number crunchers will be interested to know that 820,000 passengers pa. use Skipton station. And Colne: just 62,000! All of that said, don’t go thinking that deprivation is the exclusive preserve of urban areas. For it is a fact that rural areas dependent on agriculture and tourism are all to often the subject of minimum wages and limited access to low cost housing, compounded by poor access to shops, education and health facilities et al. More on this in the next issue of CravenRail ..... CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 12:12 Page 9

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SUPPORT FOR SELRAP MORE THAN 300 COUNCILS SUPPORT SELRAP In a previous edition of CravenRail, the writer’s Impressed by statistics. Then consider this: wife was quoted as stating that “Good ideas sell In addition to the valued support of Lancashire themselves.” More famous by far, [then] and North Yorkshire County Councils, the David Miliband was also quoted: reopening of the Skipton-Colne rail line now “The whole point about good ideas is that has the backing of: they don’t die.” The Editor wishes to apologise for • 19 Unitary Authorities the fact that space simply does not That was two years ago. But the message is as permit the publication of all SERAP’s • 13 District Councils astonishingly long list of supporters. powerful now as it was then. • 67 Town & City Councils To see the detailed list visit: Indeed, as the level of support for SELRAP • 205 Parish Councils www.selrap.org.uk continues to climb off the scale, it is clear that the The following is a list of Councils that have added proposal to reopen the Skipton-Colne line their support recently: continues to sell itself. And that, as more Alston Moor, Asby, Bandleyside, Barlby with individuals and organisations add their weight to Osgodby, Bedale, Beetham, Birchwood, Blackrod, the campaign, by definition, reopening the Bleasdale, Bollington, Boroughbridge, Bramham, Skipton-Colne railway is a good idea! Burneside, Dalton with Newton, Dufton, Easingwold, SELRAP’s campaign has the support of 598 East Keswick, Garsdale, Great Eccleston, Great Sankey, Great Strickland, Halewood, Harden, organisations, 625 individual politicians, our 400+ Helsington, Hessle, Holme, Horsforth, Horton-in- members and 53 affiliated groups. Ribblesdale, Lazonby, Melling with Wrayton, SELRAP is in receipt of over 1000 letters of Meltham, Middleham, Monk Fryston, Morland, Orton, support for proposals to reopen the Skipton-Colne Pateley Bridge, with Worth, Prescot, Preston railway. A simply amazing stand-alone statistic. Patrick, Preston Richard, Ravenstondale, Selby DC, Selby TC, Sicklinghall, Tadcaster, Thirsk, Thorp Arch, But their core strength lies in the thousands Thurnham, Urswick, Whaley Bridge, Whiston, represented by those individuals and/or Wistow. representatives of corporate groups/ businesses/organisations and/or elected bodies Additionally, SELRAP enjoys the support of 91 who have taken time out to write to SELRAP. individual County County Councillors: • Lancashire (57) ..... inc 6 out of 7 Cabinet Members 23% OF MPs SUPPORT SELRAP • N. Yorkshire (31) ..... inc 4 out of 8 Members of the Translated into numbers, that points to the fact Executive that 151 of the nation’s elected representatives • Cumbria (3) from all the major political parties wish to see the Support also comes from a further 248 individual Skipton-Colne rail line reopened. Included on [respective numbers bracketed] Councillors who, that list of supporters are 4 Members of the between them represent authorities within the wider Cabinet and Transport Minister, Norman Baker. corridor that of the new trans-Pennine route that the There simply isn’t space to list them all. So, reopened Skipton-Colne line will create, and beyond: below are the names of MPs who have signed up • Blackburn with Darwen BC (12) to SELRAP since publication of the last issue of • Bradford MBC (9) CravenRail: • Burnley BC (5) Peter Aldous, Richard Benyon, • Craven DC (10) Luciana Berger, Clive Betts, • Harrogate BC (3) Gordon Birtwistle, Tom • Lancaster City Council (4) Blenkinsop, Paul Blomfield, • Leeds City Council (12) Martin Caton, Mike Crockart, • Manchester City Council(6): John Cryer, Nick Dakin, • Pendle BC (17) Simon Danczuk, Brian • Ribble Valley BC (12) Donohoe, Jim Dowd, Michael Dugher, Jane Ellison, If you find that your MP, County Bill Esterson, Jonathan Evans, Yvonne Fovargue, • Rochdale MBC (5) and/or Local Councillor is not listed, • Rossendale BC (3) then please contact them and ask John Glen, Zac Goldsmith, Lilian Greenwood, them to write a letter of support to David Hamilton, Richard Harrington, Nick Harvey, • South Ribble BC (5) SELRAP. Chris Heaton-Harris, Julie Hilling, Kris Hopkins, • Stockport MBC (5) Contact details for SELRAP can be Julian Huppert, Cathy Jamieson, Graham Jones, • Scarborough BC (3) found on the back page of this Philip Lee, Naomi Long, Caroline Lucas, , • City Council (5) newsletter. Jason McCartney, Anne McGuire, Catherine McKinnell, • Parish Councils across the wider corridor (130) Penny Mordaunt, Graeme Morrice, Lisa Nandy, Chi Onwurah, Daniel Poulter, John Randall, Below is a list of individual Councillors representing Rachel Reeves, Dan Rogerson, Julian Smith, the authorities listed above who have offered their Andrew Stephenson, Rory Stewart, Stephen Twigg, support to SELRAP since publication of CR14: Chris Williamson, Jenny Willott, Phil Woolas, James Abbott, Mark Alcock, Zafar Ali, Zuliqar Ali, Simon Wright. Barry Anderson, Tim Andrews, Richard Baum, Eileen 80 PEERS SUPPORT SELRAP Baxendale, Eileen Baxendale, Lynne Beaumont, Anthony Beckett, Mike Beckett, Nigel Bennett, Phil The latest to throw their weight behind SELRAP Bennion, Sue Bentley, Gary Bird, Gordon Birtwistle, are: Ann Blackburn, Chris Blackburn, Stuart Bodsworth, Charlie Bolton, Chris Bowers, Prue Bray, Richard Lord Carlile, Lord Cotter, Baroness Hamwee, Lord Brett, John Brigden, Steve Broadhurst, Richard Jones of Cheltenham, Baroness Julia Neuberger, Brodie, Jane Brophy, Paul Brown, Tony Brunskill, Baroness Thomas of Walliswood. Stephen Butcher, Trevor Carbin, Andrew CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 10

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Chamberlain, Anne Chapman, Gary Clarke, Mark NEW PATRONS Clayton, Dilys Cluer, Peter Coley, Greg Couzens, Following the 2010 General Election, MPs David John Coyne, Jillian Creasy, Ian Cuthbertson, Andy Curry and resigned as SELRAP D’Agorne, Vic D'Albert, Alan Dean, Sushila Dhall, Dave Dobbie, James Doyle, Martin Eakins, Graham patrons. Former MP Gordon Prentice remains as a Elliott, Gareth Epps, Nader Fekri, Kevin Foster, patron, and is joined by MPs Gordon Birtwistle, Stephen Gordon, Ross Grant, Jackie Grunsell, John Julian Smith, Andrew Stephenson, and Lord Tony Hall, Chris Harbron, Roger Harmer, John Harris, Greaves. Pictured below, they write: Roger Hayes, Emily Heath, David Heginbotham, I am honoured that SELRAP have David Heseltine, Pam Heseltine, Graham Hibbert, approached me to be their Patron Wera Hobhouse, Kevin Hogg, Nick Holder, Ann and I look forward to working with Holtom, Stephen Houghton, Neil Hughes, Ian them over the coming months and Jackson, Mike Jackson, Steve Jarvis, Darren years. I have campaigned for Johnson, Peter Jones, Howard Keal, Madeleine Kirk, some time for a direct rail link Trevor Ladhams, Steven Lambert, Iain Lindley, between Burnley and Manchester, Howard Linsley, David Lomax, Pat McDonald, Tim and I am pleased to support McKay, Richard Mallender, Joe Marjoram, Janet SELRAP’s campaign for a Rail link Marshall, Fiona Martin, Rabi Martins, Gordon from Burnley all the way through Matthews, James Monaghan, Wayne Morgan, to Skipton. The extension of the Graeme Morrice, Susan Murray, Richard Nixon, Ed current line would be a great boost to both Skipton and Burnley. I think that establishing Northover, Tim Nuttall, Andy Parnham, Jill Perry, such rail links with Yorkshire will be extremely beneficial Romayne Phoenix, Caroline Pidgeon, Catherine to economy of Pennine Lancs and Yorkshire. Pilling, Jim Pilling, Mike Popham, Peter Popple, Adrian Ramsay, Marc Ramsbottom, John Redfern, I will continue to lobby for this rail link on behalf of the Jim Regan, Peter Reisdorf, Darren Reynolds, Paull people of Lancashire and Yorkshire and hope to see the plans for the track extension in place someday soon. Robathan, John Roberts, Michael Rodgers, Tom Ross, Margaret Rowley, Simon Saggers, Nick Gordon Birtwistle MP, Burnley Sandford, Ian Saunders, Jack Scott, Paul Scriven, In the six months since becoming Edward Simpson, Peter Sopowski, Dave Taylor, Dr the Member of Parliament for Wendy Taylor, Robert Thompson, Hazel Thorpe, Dr Skipton and Ripon, one of the Christopher Townsend, Ed Townsend, Nick most enjoyable parts of travelling Tregoning, Nicola Turner, Malcolm Victory, Kevin round the constituency and Warnes, Steve Whiffen, Rob White, Richard between the constituency and Whitehouse, Martin Whiteside, Peter Wilcock, Geoff Westminster has been going by Williams, Chris Williamson, Elizabeth Wilson, train. The part of the world I am Patrick Wilson, Michael Winstanley. lucky enough to represent has some stunning lines, none more so EUROPEAN SUPPORT of course than the line north of When rebuilt as part of the through Settle. What I also know, of course, is that there are many route it once was, the Skipton-Colne more opportunities that could be created by having more line will complete a new route linking railway lines, and the missing link between Skipton and the east coast ports with those of the Colne would do that. I look forward to working with Mersey. As such, SELRAP believes it SELRAP in the months and years ahead to try and could form part of the trans-European [freight] achieve that. network (TEN). Julian Smith MP, Skipton & Ripon

44 out of 72 UKM EPs [including all of those with I pay tribute to the work of the constituencies in the north of England] have written Skipton East Lancashire Railway to SELRAP to offer their support for reinstating the Action Partnership, and the group's Skipton-Colne line. Five of those MEPs are SELRAP aim of reconnecting Colne and patrons. MEPs George Lyon and Keith Taylor are Skipton, and thus Lancashire with the latest to sign up. Yorkshire, the North-West with the North-East. I applaud SELRAP's SELRAP recently made a presentation to MEPs in efforts and I am delighted to the European Parliament in Brussels. become a patron of the group. I hope to do everything I can to Closer to home, support for SELRAP continues to progress the cause. climb on a wide front: Andrew Stephenson MP, Pendle • 50 educational bodies, the latest being Blackpool & Fylde, Knowsley Community, Harrogate, Settle and Kendal Colleges • CBI & Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the SELRAP's biggest achievement was Pennines to give people the belief that restoring the line really could • 43 Rail and Public Transport Organisations across the happen. It's vital to keep the faith north of England through the difficult times we are • 8 Health trusts from Lancashire & Yorkshire now in. The financial crisis will not • 12 Trade Unions inc all rail unions & regional TUCs last for ever and when we as a country get through it, anything • 133 businesses across the north of England. A full will be possible. spectrum ..... from Soccer clubs to banks, building Lord Tony Greaves, Pendle societies et al to large & small manufacturing companies & retail outlets SELRAP’s only source of regular income is via • “Other” support ..... from Integrated Transport membership fees of just £5.00 per year. Supporters Authorities to Ramblers’ clubs & Tourist Boards. will appreciate that full colour printing costs for CravenRail are not inconsiderable. You can help further. With donations: to Roy St Pierre, SELRAP Treasurer, 1 The Croft, Hollin Hall, Trawden, Colne, BB8 8SS CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:57 Page 11

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JOINED UP THINKING But then it gets better still. GETTING CLOSER ..... In an age of increased Read on for a professional view accountability and scrutiny, a on how the Skipton-Colne rail project that offers economic line rebuild will ensure more growth, job creation, effective use is made of the To what it says on our logo. ie. regeneration, social mobility, and massively under-used modern train services linking further opportunity for infrastructure that is the Lancashire with Yorkshire ..... via sustainable tourism has got to be current branch to nowhere in Skipton & Colne: a no brainer. particular. • 2007: JMP report demonstrates THE BENEFITS OF THROUGH RAILWAYS Benefit: Cost ratio of up to 2.43 Whilst there may be some nostalgic view about railway branch lines, • 2008: Network Rail: working historians will have noticed that a disproportionate number of them have assumption that Skipton-Colne closed. Why is this? line will reopen, subject to There are five key elements which make a railway competitive – or not. These availability of funding are: access time to/from stations; train service frequency; journey time; fares; and the need to change. • 2009: Conference speakers Where a significant proportion of traffic on branch lines is truly local (e.g. combine to conclude case for line perhaps Liverpool – Southport), local lines can function well. Where it is not, is proven, and that SELRAP however, interchange becomes critical if passengers have long waits at needs to move towards delivery junction stations, some of which have poor facilities. • 2010: JRC report outlines way The other problem is that demand on a branch line is often greatest nearest forward for SELRAP to progress the junction, and then tails off. In a wider economic assessment, this leads to sustainablity issues. As a result, it is a generic conclusion that through the reopening routes are likely to be more profitable than branch lines. • 2010: SELRAP develops funding The branch line from Burnley to Colne, like a few others, has survived by options for Skipton-Colne line accident. At present, it certainly isn’t the most profitable [or even the most • 2010: SELRAP sets out on a useful] line in Britain. However, the opportunity to extend to Skipton looks inherently sensible because it can solve both of the problems noted above. programme of strategic meetings First, bridging the gap increases the number of useful destinations directly with/presentations to targetted served – Skipton being the obvious key benefit. Reaching Skipton also individuals and/or organisations increases the number of useful destinations available with a change. And, ..... that include potential given the service frequency at Skipton, interchange may not be a problem. funding partners. These types of opportunity can bring extra revenues to the rest of the The cost of printing network, for trips such as Skipton–Blackburn and Nelson–Bingley, where rail and distributing is simply not competitive at present. Contributory revenues to the rest of the 10,000 copies of this network can be treated as a benefit in the appraisal of the missing link, newsletter is not inconsiderable. creating a much greater benefit than one would normally get just from SELRAP wishes to thank extending a branch line. Lush Cosmetics and the Secondly, reaching Skipton adds patronage to the end of the Colne branch Community Foundation for which currently has the most capacity ie. the Colne end. Demand can be Lancashire for sponsoring added exactly to that point on the line where it is currently weakest. This is a this issue of CravenRail. key strategic benefit for any railway. Operating costs will rise with the www.lush.co.uk proposed extension. However, because the new demand will occur where www.lancsfoundation.org.uk there is capacity, it is quite possible that the extra demand gained will exceed these costs. NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME! Ongoing work by SELRAP will now have to factor these arguments into the I have been a member of SELRAP for over three case for the new line. years but due to work commitments was unable Dr Nigel G Harris to attend the open meetings until March 2010. Managing Director What a first meeting! The content was interesting as it was run in a very professional The Railway Consultancy www.railcons.com yet friendly manner by members of the executive committee. So impressed was I by this highly TWO FOR ONE OFFER: the busy access road to the end regarded organisation that I agreed to be their Civil engineers have made initial of the M65 in Colne, traffic flow media officer and was co-opted onto the site visits to the trackbed of the could be eased by removal of two committee. Skipton-Colne line. And whilst it sets of traffic lights that can When the rail link is re-instated between Skipton cause hold ups at peak times. and Colne it will bring enormous benefits to the is clear that there is a lengthy whole community in terms of regeneration and “to-do” list before trains can run So whilst the reinstated rail line economic growth, which the area desperately again, they saw only solutions, will reduce the need for road needs. and not problems. traffic, it will have the double I would love to welcome more of you as And, dependent on the solution advantage of smoothing the flow individual members, particularly women, and for remaining traffic. also interested community groups can be chosen for crossing Vivary Way, affiliated too. Even if you are unable to attend all the meetings, your financial support will enable us reach a successful conclusion to this campaign. By becoming a member you can help us truly represent the community we are trying to help. For more information please contact Derek The end of the Jennings, our Chairman and Membership Officer. line in Colne. Derek’s details can be found on the membership But isn’t that a form which is on the back cover of this green light on publication. the buffers! Still there; as the line to Carlisle curves away to Thank you. the right. But the short stub with buffers is the Jane Wood, end of the Colne line. For now! Media Officer SELRAP Photo: Kevin Horne; Northern Rail [email protected] CravenRail 15.qxp:Layout 1 4/11/10 09:58 Page 12

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FROM THE CHAIR: Nothing is for nothing in this modern age. There is no such thing as a free meal. From “free” plastic carrier bag from the supermarket, to “free” bus rides for seniors, anything and everything has to be worked for, produced ..... and paid for, in the end. Over a number of years, dedicated groups of people have sought to reopen disused rail lines. They have formed committees, pressed on with discussions, lobbied, and worked hard to achieve their goals. Three railway lines have Ref CR15 recently been restored to working passenger use. In Wales MEMBERSHIP FORM the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line [closed in 1962] was re-opened in 2008. In Scotland the Larkhall-Glasgow line [closed 1965] Name:...... was reopened in 2005, and the Stirling to Alloa line [closed Address:...... 1968] was also re-opened in 2008. And in December this year passenger trains will start running again on the Airdrie ...... to Bathgate line, which was closed in 1956. Through years of hard work, disappointments and jubilations, Tel:...... Mobile:...... lobby groups finally saw their vision or a dream come true. e mail:...... For those reopened lines go from strength to strength and are, once more, making a useful contribution to the areas I wish to become a member of SELRAP and they serve. enclose my Annual Membership Fee of £5.00 SELRAP’s dedicated and enthusiastic committee is determined [Concessions: £3], Groups £10, Life £50 to see the return of the rail line between Skipton and Colne as part of the National Network for passenger and freight and/or make a donation by Cheque payable traffic. Progress and development policies are discussed at to SELRAP; or by filling out the Standing regular monthly committee meetings. And in order to follow Banker’s Order below: developments and to make further contribution, members are invited to attend bi-monthly open meetings. Time and effort To: ...... Bank/Building Society, are given freely to attend meetings & conferences with [rail] Branch Code: ...... industry bodies and organisations, to liaise with Government at all levels ..... and to explore any avenue that will lead to Full Address: the fulfilment of our goal...... It will soon be 10 years since SELRAP was formed, and I have to ask myself why it is taking so long for our railway to be re- ...... opened. The most obvious answer is the issue of funding. SELRAP is working on that. But is aware that is only part of Account Name: the solution. For there are many other tasks to be addressed ...... before we see trains once more running between Skipton and Colne. Like those people in Wales and Scotland who worked Account No: ...... for their lines to be re-opened, we at SELRAP continue to do the same ..... in the knowledge that in the near future our Pay To: Yorkshire Bank plc, Market Street, dream and vision will come true ..... as “our” line becomes Colne BB8 0HT For the Account of: SELRAP: the first re-opened railway in England since 1998. Branch Code: 05 – 03 - 83 Account No: And we can can truly see something in return ..... having 34689554 The Sum of: ...... On the worked for it! same date each year Dated: ...... Derek Jennings, Chairman SELRAP

Signature: ...... STOP PRESS From the rail industry: Please return to: SELRAP Membership “I have been introduced to the [Skipton-Colne rail Secretary Derek Jennings, 3 Hamilton Rd, reopening] project and have seen the impressive Carr Hall, , Lancs BB9 6DE amount of support that SELRAP have generated. After a site visit I could see the genuine benefit that the See SELRAP’s website: www.selrap.org.uk for reinstatement could bring to the area. I am keen to more information on progress towards the see the project succeed and hope that I can restoration of rails between Skipton and Colne. contribute.” No internet at home? Then access our website at Stephen Collicott, your local library (free) ..... or maybe via a friend Key Account Manager, or relative. Balfour Beatty Rail Ltd. With 20,000 hits per month already, SELRAP’s Interesting times ..... Ed. www.bbrail.com website has got to be worth a look! CravenRail is edited by: OPEN MEMBERS’ MEETINGS FOR 2011 If you would like more copies • Mon. 10th January @ 7.00pm: Herriots Hotel, Andy Shackleton of CravenRail, for distribution Broughton Road, Skipton. Higher Park Farm to anyone you can interest in • Mon. 14th March @ 7.00pm: NB. also AGM: Kelbrook Road our campaign, for meetings or St. Bartholomew’s Church, Albert Road, Colne. for local venues, please contact Roy St Pierre, 1, The • Mon. 9th May @ 7.00pm: New Road Community Lancs Croft, Hollin Hall, Trawden, Centre, Earby. BB18 5TD Colne, BB8 8SS • Mon 11th July @ 7.00pm: Herriots Hotel, Tel: 01282 814358 [email protected] Broughton Road, Skipton AND • Mon. 12th September @ 7.00pm: St. REMEMBER THIS: e mail: [email protected] Bartholomew’s Church, Albert Road, If you only do what If there are issues you wish to raise, or draw to Colne. you’ve always done, the attention of the Executive Committee, please • Mon. 14th November @ 7.00pm: New make use of the contact details above. you’ll only get what Road Community Centre, Earby. you’ve always had. Makes you think .....

Bradwood Works, Manchester Road, , Burnley, BB11 5PW Craven Rail is printed on 100% recycled ‘evolution satin’ paper supplied by ‘Premier Paper Group’ – It should ..... Tel: (01706) 210582 · Fax: (01706) 215692 · Website: www.handp.co.uk · Supporters of SELRAP. please re-cycle after use or pass this magazine on to a friend.