Rail campaign attracts more new support

The Skipton Building Society is the latest concern to pin its colours to the SELRAP mast. The Skipton–East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership is campaigning to have the 11½ miles of track 
between Skipton and Colne re-instated.

Group supporters, and anyone interested in the scheme, are set to hear about the campaign’s progress at an open meeting in Colne on Monday, September 14th.

The meeting, which will begin at 7pm, is at a new venue. It is taking place in the undercroft at the New Life Christian Centre, in West Street (BB8 0HP). The building is opposite West Street school and there is plenty of parking nearby. The door to the undercroft is in Midgley Street.

Said executive committee member Jane Wood: “As always, potential new members are most welcome to attend and find out more about the rail campaign to re-instate our ‘missing link’. SELRAP has a broad range of supporters and is very pleased that Skipton Building Society is one of these organisations.”

Department of Transport staff have called on the group’s local expertise and knowledge three times in the last 12 months. The latest visit from the DoT was in mid August.

Said Mrs Wood: “The visit to find out more information from us about the ‘missing link’ and the contrasts in quality of the existing rail service in the area.”

SELRAP is also maintaining contact with a new umbrella group called Rail North.

“We’re involved with bodies deciding the future of the railways,” said Mrs Wood.

“One of our members represents us on a group examining rail connectivity across Northern England. It’s the Output Definition Group and also has representatives from the rail industry and businesses, councils and county councils. It has another of its meetings this month and has to make a decision by the end of the year as to which rail projects will go forward in the next round of funding.

“There is also a sub group working on finer details, including passenger numbers, and the information they gather is fed back to the main body.