CAMPAIGNERS have banded together to demand answers over why Burnley’s flagship new railway station has apparently been standing idle for nearly three months.

Travellers have been left puzzled over why the revamped Burnley Manchester Road station, which is set to have its first ticket office for decades, remains closed.

Today, town hall chiefs insisted that the station should open in October after extra ‘energy efficiency’ measures, believed to cover the station’s lighting, are installed.

Rail users had speculated that the station might not have actually opened until the first trains were operational for the long-awaited faster East Lancashire to Manchester service.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed earlier this year that - after being hampered initially by a lack of rolling stock - the route would not start until next May because signalling had not been installed by Network Rail on one end of the reinstated Todmorden Curve.

It has also been rumoured that the station’s partners were waiting until a Royal visitor could be secured for the opening - a claim dismissed by town hall bosses.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said: “I think it is outrageous that the station isn’t open yet. I worked really hard to secure the money for this and I can’t understand what the delay is.

“It appears to be finished and the problem appears to be that they cannot get the right entourage together to officially open the place. This has been paid for with taxpayers money and should be open right now.”

Coun Charlie Briggs, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Burnley Council, said: “Why the heck should the station not be opened just because they can’t get all the right people together?

“The same thing happened with the University Technical College. It was up and running for students to use and then Prince Andrew came along later and performed the official opening later.”

Stephen Martin, chairman of STELLA (Save The East Lancs Line Association), said the organisation had compiled a number of letters, originally to train operators Northern Rail regarding the delay, without any response.

“We are not happy about this at all - the new trains could be here before the station is open at this rate,” said Mr Martin.

“The outside is practically finished, with all of the new noticeboards and paving, and the car park is complete. But apparently the barriers cannot be removed because there is still work inside which needs to be done.”

Mike Cook, Burnley Council’s director of economic regeneration said: “Manchester Road station is largely finished but its opening has unfortunately been delayed by the need to carry out small but essential improvements to meet energy efficiency regulations. This is due to circumstances beyond the council’s control.

“It’s entirely understandable that people are frustrated by this situation. The council is too. We are doing everything we can to resolve the situation and the council is aiming to have the work completed next month.”