Ribble Valley Borough Council call for restoration of rail services to Hellifield to link Clitheroe with Leeds, Bradford, Skipton and Lancaster with Clitheroe service to Manchester Victoria.

Rail

Ken Hind Leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council welcomed the decision of the new Economic Development Committee to press for restoration of passenger services to Hellifield from Clitheroe on the Ribble Valley Line .

He commented ''We have decided as a council to lobby Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, Network Rail and Northern trains to reintroduce passenger trains on the line to Hellifield. This links Clitheroe to Skipton Leeds and Bradford to the east and Lancaster and Carlisle to the west coast mainline to the East. It will also help promotion of the Settle Carlisle excursion trains.".

''This will mean trains connected from Hellifield to Manchester Victoria through Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley. It could also mean reopening stations at Chatburn, Gisburn and Newsholme on route. It will improve rail links with Manchester Victoria for parts of Pendle like Barnoldswick. This plan take cars off congested roads and brings and more tourists to the Ribble Valley. It improves the connectivity for the Ribble Valley Community to surrounding urban conurbations for residents."

''It is a sensible extension of the Northern Powerhouse transport policy at relative low cost. This plan forms part of the Councils approved proposals to drive the Ribble Valley economy to create more jobs, particular for our young people and further strengthen our strong tourist industry."

''The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP has recently announced that he proposes to reopen some of the lines closed in 1957 under the Beeching review. This is one line that is used daily for heavy freight and in very good condition. As new rolling stock is planned for this line it is a good moment to restore passenger trains as far as Hellifield."

''Nigel Evans MP is asking for a meeting with the Chris Grayling MP at which the Chairman of Economic Development Councillor Rupert Swarbrick and myself will put the councils arguments. For the council I would like to pay tribute to Mr Brass and the enthusiasts of the Ribble Valley Rail Group who have kept this issue alive and tireless campaigned to restore."

"Attached is a picture of Nigel Evans MP and Ken Hind at Clitheroe railway station pointing to the sign advertising trains that no longer run. it should have another sign attached ''NOT ANY MORE'' .