Fresh push for faster trains between Burnley and Manchester (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Fresh push for faster trains between Burnley and Manchester

10:29pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

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A FRESH study has been commissioned as part of a bid to establish faster rail links between Burnley and Manchester.

Town leaders believe that reducing the journey time between Burnley Manchester Road, and Manchester Victoria train stations will improve the economic and social outlook for Burnley residents.

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And a new attempt to convince Network Rail of the benefits of reinstating the Todmorden Curve, allowing a 38-minute service between Burnley and Manchester, has now been launched by consultants.

Currently it can take between 75 minutes and an hour-and-a-half to travel to the city, with commuters being forced to switch trains at Hebden Bridge - or Blackburn in the opposite direction.

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "They are working up the social and economic benefits of the scheme, as part of work to convince Network Rail that this is a vital and much-needed proposition."

Campaigners from the Independent Railway and Transport Executive are championing the reinstatement of the Todmorden Curve, which closed to trains just more than 40 years ago.

Last year consultants Faber Maunsell were asked to come up with a number of options for improving rail links to Manchester.

They said that the Todmorden Curve alternative - where an old line offering a "turnback" facility for trains would be reopened - was the most cost-effective choice at £8.2million.

Council officials met with Network Rail bosses in the wake of the Faber Maunsell findings, to argue that the Burnley scheme deserved to be considered as a priority.

Consultants insisted that the Todmorden Curve plan was more plausible than proposals to upgrade the Blackburn line, the other option which could offer improved services to Burnley.

New consultants - London-based Colin Buchanan - have now been employed by the borough council to revamp the Burnley bid.

Rail users say that only 400yards of extra track and three points would be needed to complete the regeneration works.

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