ROSSENDALE MP Jake Berry has hailed a new report as a ‘positive step’ in his campaign to improve transport links and attract investment into Rossendale.
A recent report from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has confirmed that the Rawtenstall Regeneration Zone should be a priority for the government-funded Growth Deal Two.
More encouraging, he said, was the news the LEP was giving its support to improvements to the M66 gateway corridor and that plans to improve the Valley’s transport connections with Greater Manchester would become part of the LEP’s ‘strategic development pipeline’, with a view to becoming a potential investment priority.
The news comes after a campaign by the MP to improve transport links in the Valley, including increasing the M66’s capacity and reinstating a commuter rail link. A petition launched by Mr Berry to restore the Valley’s rail link attracted more than 3,000 signatures and he founded the ‘Rossendale Rail Link Action Group’ with business and community leaders, helping to push the project.
Mr Berry said: “This is a positive step and I’m pleased the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership is looking seriously at these plans.”
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