A “DO or die” meeting over the prospect of reopening the Colne to Skipton railway line has led to the formation of a new working party.

Rail campaigners have hailed the move as the most significant ever in their fight to restore the east-west connection, which was scrapped by Dr Beeching’s reforms 45 years ago.

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Not only Lancashire and North Yorkshire county councils, but Northern Rail, Network Rail, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester were represented at the crunch talks, which were brokered by SELRAP (Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership).

The working party has been asked to examine east-west connectivity issues and the economic and social benefits of recreating the link through Colne and West Craven to Yorkshire.

An announcement was made concerning the private discussions at the Herriot Hotel ,in Skipton, during a Lancashire County Council debate on the poor state of the stopper service between Colne and Preston.

County councillor John Fillis, transport cabinet member, said: “We agreed that we would all work together to consider options which would move this matter forward.”

Cllr Azhar Ali, who represents Nelson South and Brierfield, added: “It was the North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire combined authority and all the other partners signing up and saying that they were prepared to work together, collectively and constructively, or we all pack our bags, go home, and think that it was just a good idea.”

County councillor Bill Winlow, who chaired a rail improvement panel for the county, also welcomed the new task group being established on a ‘regional and sub-national basis’.

“There are major difficulties with the Colne to Skipton line, not least Vivary Way and the Earby crossings, which I remember well. Once they were taken out, you cannot just replace them with another crossing,” he said.

“It has got to be either an overpass or an underpass, costing several millions of pounds each time, so we should continue to press for this line.”

Speaking after that meeting Derek Jennings, SELRAP chairman, said: “After 14 years of campaigning this is the most important development for the group.

“SELRAP will continue to campaign for a sustainable and high-quality transport system and would like to thank our many supporters and members who have shown such loyalty since the campaign began.

On Monday, March 9, SELRAP will give a full update on campaign progress at the Lesser Municipal Hall in Colne from 7pm.