SELRAP Newsletter Interactive 4pm 20th feb 2026 - Flipbook - Page 14
LOCAL VOICES
Business
Prof Miranda Barker OBE DL (East Lancashire Chamber of Trade):
“Crea琀椀ng rail connec琀椀vity between Skipton and Colne is vital.
For moving our people, our learners and our workers. But also
for moving our goods. Globally compe琀椀琀椀ve, our manufacturers
are disabled by not being able to ship their products as fast or as
cheaply as the compe琀椀琀椀on. For Lancashire’s strength, for the UK’s
economy - Skipton to Colne rail connec琀椀vity is vital, and can’t wait.” Miranda Barker
Kathryn Fogg (Northern Community Bank):
“The reopening will unlock countless opportuni琀椀es for our communi琀椀es: boos琀椀ng
jobs, expanding educa琀椀onal access, and enriching leisure choices. By connec琀椀ng
us directly to more towns and ci琀椀es, it will help build a more inclusive and diverse
region.”
Councillors
Ash Sutcli昀昀e (Waterside & Hors昀椀eld):
“This stretch of railway would be the
best single biggest catalyst for social and
economic change for Colne; nothing
compares.”
David Whipp (Pendle Rural/Earby &
Coates): “Reopening of the Colne to
Skipton rail route should be a priority,
along with improvements to the exis琀椀ng
East Lancashire Line.”
Azhar Ali OBE (Nelson East): “This
scheme, as well as the A56 villages
bypass, would have minimal cost
compared to other schemes currently
being undertaken....The Government
needs to refocus on coun琀椀es instead of
growing the ci琀椀es.”
Andy Brown (Aire Valley): “The Skipton
to Colne railway represents excellent
value for money. I suspect there is no
project in the country that makes a more
e昀昀ec琀椀ve connec琀椀on for a cheaper price.”
Rick Edwards (Burscough & Ru昀昀ord):
“We are keen to build future assets
and infrastructure whilst increasing
job opportuni琀椀es of which the
reinstatement of the Colne-Skipton
railway line is one.”
Azhar Ali
Andy Brown
A SELRAP Member
Eric Beardsworth (Foulridge):
“The Missing Link between Colne and
Skipton could and should be reinstated
as a strategic East/West route.”
Rick Edwards
14
Ash Sutcli昀昀e
David Whipp
