CravenRail. The newsletter for supporters of SELRAP: the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership. Issue 7 Winter 2005/6

Transcription

1 CravenRail The newsletter for supporters of SELRAP: the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership Issue 7 Winter 2005/6 Admit it. You ve noticed already. A brand new look. That has you on the edge of your seat and bursting to open up on the latest news concerning the campaign to reopen the railway between Skipton and Colne. HEADLINES... MPs SHAKE HANDS ON TRACKBED Photo.. courtesy of Craven Herald 2 DEMONSTRATION OF SOLIDARITY Pendle Borough and Craven District linked at symbolic meeting to back rail reopening 2 LTP 2 INCLUSION Reopening features in latest Local Transport Plan 2 COMMUNITY RAIL Colne branch.. a brighter future 3 CONSULTANTS INVOLVED Rail firm to do preliminary work 3 ICE WARMS TOWARDS RAIL Institute of Civil Engineers report FEATURES... 3 SKIPTON COLNE LINE IN THE NORTHERN WAY 4 THEY RE DOING IT IN SCOTLAND. WALES TOO. SO WHY IS ENGLAND BEING LEFT BEHIND? 5 MEET OUR PATRONS 6 WHO S SUPPORTING SELRAP? 6 WORTH NOTING 6 ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES? 7 NORTHERN REVIEW.. AND A DfT HIGH LEVEL OUTPUT STATEMENT 7 FROM THIS TO THAT 8 FOR THE FUTURE 8 WHAT NEXT? 8 WHY DO WE DO IT? 8 MEETING SCHEDULE 8 WANT TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO RE OPEN THE SKIPTON COLNE RAILWAY? SEE BACK FOR HOW Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership RECONNECTING YOUR REGION Supported by HML HML Homeloan Management Ltd Patrons: Nicholas Owen, MPs David Curry, Gordon Prentice, Nigel Evans MEPs Chris Davies, Diana Wallis

2 2 A DEMONSTRATION OF SOLIDARITY.. and support for reopening the Skipton Colne railway took place on the Lancashire / North Yorkshire border at Thornton in Craven. On Friday 4th November MPs David Curry (Con. Skipton & Ripon) and Gordon Prentice (Lab. Pendle District) met and shook hands over a twined ribbon of red and white placed across the trackbed of the former route... and representing the regions reconnected. An invited audience of Local and County Councillors drawn from both sides of the border, representatives from the media and SELRAP members heard SELRAP's Liaison Officer, Andy Shackleton, welcome those attending and tell of the thrill felt by the group in hosting its high profile patrons. Mr Shackleton went on to outline the rationale behind the group s work... and background to it. Together with its [realisable] ambitions to see the line reopen in Mr Curry stated that he would work with those prepared to further proposals for reopening the line. Describing the proposal as do-able, he stressed that reopening the artery between major economic centres on either side of the Pennines had to be for the common good. And went on to speak of spin offs that would address many of the current buzzwords... namely sustainability, accessibility, social & economic problems, regeneration. And more. Mr Prentice praised the work of SELRAP and reminded those attending of his adjournment debate in Parliament earlier this year concerning reopening proposals... and of support offered by fellow [SELRAP] patron MPs David Curry and Nigel Evans. He went on to tell of SELRAP s perseverance with its proposals.. that has turned public opinion around. And is supported by Lancashire and North Yorkshire County Councils, together with Craven District and Pendle Borough Councils. He, too, drew on the sustainability buzzword... before stating that the [not inconsiderable] cost of reconstruction was fully justifiable. In conclusion Mr Prentice described reopening proposals as irresistible.. adding his hope for Government funding for the project. He then thanked SELRAP for the invitation, adding that both he and Mr. Curry were pleased take part in the event. Then, with a symbolic demonstration of scissor dexterity, the pair jointly cut the ribbon, declaring the project unstoppable, open.. or whatever suitable adjective comes to mind. More than a media stunt, the event has to be viewed as just one further step in SELRAP's ongoing campaign. And proof, if proof were needed, of the fact that the transport issue should not be viewed as some sort of political football. But one concerning the greater good of the society it serves. LTP INCLUSION All County Councils are required to produce comprehensive integrated transport policies covering all forms of surface transport. Local Transport Plan 1(LTP1) covers the period As reported in CravenRail 6, SELRAP has ceaselessly lobbied both Lancashire and North Yorkshire County Councils concerning the inclusion of reopening proposals for the Skipton Colne railway in respective LTP2s for the period Fact is that without credence from this quarter, chances for our proposals becoming anything more are slim. The fact that a voluntary group is able to engage on a regular basis with decision makers at this level has to be regarded as a measure by which SELRAP s ongoing campaign might be judged. But it gets better.. for draft proposals from North Yorkshire County Council s LTP2 include the following... The County Council is also aware of the potential re-opening of other rail routes which would be of benefit. The Skipton Colne railway is an example. Whilst NYCC acknowledges it is not the responsibility of the Council it realises the potential benefits to the area and will support such a scheme. Plainly their Draft LTP2 is still subject to some fine tuning, but SELRAP has been informed that NYCC s support for the re-opening of the railway will be included in the finally adopted LTP2. COMMUNITY RAIL.. Proposals for developing the Colne branch line have moved on apace. And look set to turn around the fortunes of this ailing remnant of the once-through route to Skipton and beyond. For... in conjunction with Northern Rail, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP), Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, the Lancashire Economic Partnership, and stakeholders along the route who share an interest in developing the line, Lancashire County Council has set up a Community Rail Partnership for services on the East Lancashire Line between Preston and Colne. The partnership is linked into wider regeneration projects being developed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, through the Northern Way Growth Strategy. And others that include, ELEVATE (one of the Government's nine housing market renewal organisations), together with Lancashire s own Pathfinder project that is Working towards a dynamic rural economy for Lancashire which is financially and environmentally sustainable. The stated aims for all of these initiatives are to make East Lancashire a place where people choose to live, work, visit and relax. Interestingly, Lancashire CC regards the key to the success of these projects to be a high quality railway that provides direct fast links

3 3 to key areas of employment and services in East Lancashire and beyond. Whilst recognising that the East Lancashire line presents a number of unique challenges, there is considerable support for making improvements to the service within the rail industry, local authorities and, most importantly, the local community. Serving a conurbation that ranges from affluent communities to some of the most deprived in England, currently 585,000 passengers per year use the route... just 10% of the local population. Put another way, 90% 0f the local population do not use it. For now. Yet it is pivotal to SELRAP s case for reopening as a through route to Skipton and beyond. It has to succeed. For obvious reasons. And to this end, together with many other interested organisations along the route, SELRAP is delighted to be included in the list of stakeholders that form the Partnership. Community Rail Partnerships in other parts of the country have seen improved services, stations and stock. And profile of those routes raised beyond recognition as improvements kick in. Plans for Nelson Bus/Rail interchange are ongoing. And Colne station is to be the subject of a 70,000 mini facelift. Expect to see changes on the ground at both sites early in Watch this space for more on the metamorphosis. CONSULTANTS INVOLVED.. A well known firm of transport consultants is to carry out a Strategic Assessment Study of re opening proposals for the Skipton Colne railway. Negotiations are at an early stage, but SELRAP can reveal that the core stages of the study will involve: Appraisal of the existing Steer Davies Gleave Report. Initial Market assessment Timetable modelling and simulation Engineering options, including bypass options, extension through Colne and approach to Skipton Environmental assessment Value management and engineering Outline Business Case None of the above can be viewed in isolation. Fact is that all elements of the study will interact.. the overall objective being to produce the most cost effective scheme... which will then impact on the business case for reconstruction of the line. ICE WARMS TOWARDS RAIL A new survey by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) reveals that 69% of the public want improvements in public transport to help combat the UK s grid locked road network. The research has been carried out as part of ICE s State of the Nation 2005 infrastructure report, launched in October, and compiled by over 500 civil engineering experts drawn from ICE s membership. The Institution of Civil Engineers is one of the preeminent engineering institutions in the world. Established as a learned society in 1818, it has 75,000 members and provides a voice for civil engineering, continuing professional development and promoting best practice throughout the industry. Insofar as they impact on rail transport, the reader s attention is drawn to the following issues raised within the report: Road congestion is estimated to cost UK business around 20 billion a year. With employees arriving late for work, freight companies forced to allow for longer and unpredictable journey times. And more. Between 1982 and 2003, the number of cars on UK roads rose from 15.5 million to 26.2 million a rise of 70% - increasing the pressure on the nation s transport infrastructure. Car use causes air pollution; in % of UK transport emissions came from the motor car. The need for investment in railway stations, quality bus stations, and taxi ranks to create a totally integrated transport system that people wish to use Funding for transport schemes in rural areas to address social exclusion High-speed rail services, such as those on the West Coast mainline, introduced on other major UK routes Public transport fares in the UK are amongst the most expensive in the world. ICE believes Government subsidies to reduce the cost of using it is one way to make it more appealing to motorists. ICE calls for delivery on Government promises to increase transport funding, as set out in the Future of Transport White Paper Acknowledging that the real battle is getting motorists to use public transport Dr Colin Clinton, ICE s President, commented "As civil engineers, we re not naive enough to expect the end of the car-first culture overnight. However, action must be taken before we can t drive to work or school in the morning due to permanent traffic jams outside our houses." Dr Clinton continued: "Ultimately, the future of UK roads is simple increased governmental promotion of public transport or meltdown." Rail passengers have a very clear view of what makes a good, efficient network. Researchers rank the top three factors as frequency, reliability and journey time. And they need to be persuaded that their journey by public transport will be comfortable, affordable and seamless. Makes you think. It should. For SELRAP s proposal to see the Skipton-Colne railway re opened as part of the National Network would address many of the issues raised by the report. NORTHERN WAY INCLUSION Published in September 2004 by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.. Moving Forward: the Northern Way.. is a growth strategy to boost

4 4 prosperity across the North, to close a 29 billion productivity gap with the rest of the country. Those concerned with rail transport will find it makes interesting reading. For, contained within the document are many references to the need for enhancements within the current network and.. importantly.. to the need for its expansion. It is not within the scope of this newsletter to detail all such references. But the [selected] quotes below make interesting reading... Before taking all that on board you may care to lighten up a little and LAUGH WITH LAWRENCE... with thanks to Doug Lawrence and Leader Times Newspapers. Where this cartoon appeared recently. SELRAP s plainly hitting the spot... somewhere! I want to be a train driver when I grow up.. do you think the Colne-Skipton line will be finished by then? See what I mean? Ed. ************* The future economic prosperity of the North depends on making investments to create integrated transport systems within, and between, the North s city regions. This will mean that we will need to make different use of the public funds now being invested in transport and we will need to secure additional public investment. We have taken the view that the Northern Way Growth Strategy should primarily focus on the two economically strongest city regions of Manchester and Leeds and use this axis to improve incrementally direct links to and from Sheffield, and to and from Liverpool, Central Lancashire and the whole Humber ports. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that economic links between the Leeds city region and the Manchester city region are growing. Their labour markets overlap, both are on the North European Trade Axis (NETA) and both rely mainly on Manchester Airport for international air services. Thus, we see significant benefits from investing in improvements to Trans-Pennine Rail Services, connecting the Manchester and Leeds city regions. This will make rail a more attractive mode for city centre to city centre travel and stimulate economic growth in the towns served by these services, particularly those with regeneration needs. Service enhancements are now being introduced but more ambitious actions are required to improve speed and reliability, increase seating capacity and reduce overcrowding at peak periods. Regional Transport Boards will endeavour to set transport investment priorities, review evidence and recommend a way forward for key projects being promoted across the North. These new mechanisms will also develop new innovative funding strategies, and new appraisal methods, that will recognise the wider economic benefits that improved transport brings. It is SELRAP s contention that with Trans Pennine rail capacity already a serious issue, much of the above has to be regarded as a brief for re opening the missing link between Skipton and Colne... creating a much needed local and strategic route that will address many of the issues raised. The remit for the Central Lancashire City Region is more specific. And includes the following observations... Significant investment is required if we are to promote a well connected and attractive business environment for increasingly higher value activities. North-South links via the M6 and West Coast main line are good. Motorway links to Blackpool and East Lancashire are strong but rail links to both areas need to be enhanced. Access from Blackburn and Burnley to the Manchester City Region, especially by public transport to the Airport, is poor and in need of enhancement. Likewise, links to Leeds City Region and Yorkshire and the Humber are low quality and need to be strengthened considerably. Then, as though the script had been written by SELRAP, it goes on to recommend... Improvements to increase capacity on the Blackburn- Manchester rail corridor (e.g. dualling the rail line at all parts). Reinstatement of the Colne-Skipton railway. Reinstatement of rail loop from East Lancashire to Manchester via Todmorden. Better links from the City Region to Manchester Airport. Isn t it time that those with the power to say yes stopped dancing around the pile of handbags and got on with reopening those railways? ENGLAND LEFT BEHIND SCOTLAND & WALES It s time to get out that atlas. Get this... north of the border, no less than five rail reopening schemes are ongoing. On December 12th, taking the newly re opened (and electrified) line to Hamilton, the first train for forty years will leave Larkhall.. bound for Glasgow Central. But it doesn t end there. A reopened loop between Maryhill and Anniesland allows new journey opportunities for urban travel. A brand new line is to connect Glasgow international airport with the city. And plans are progressing for reopening Airdrie-Bathgate, Alloa-Kincardine, Edinburgh-Galashiels. Turn up the pages for Cardiff next. And the newly reopened Vale of Glamorgan line to Bridgend.

5 5 With new stations at Roose and Llantwit Major. Where estate agents have predicted a miniproperty boom. And staff have already begun taking inquiries from those wanting to move there - because the hourly trains will make it easier for them to live by the sea and work in Cardiff. Meanwhile... earlier this year work began on the multi million project to provide rail services from Ebbw Vale. Closed to passengers in services to Cardiff are scheduled for the end of The reopened line will feature new stations at Rogerstoe, Risca, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale Parkway. Describing the impact of the line's re-opening as "immense", AM (Welsh Assembly Member) for Blaenau Gwent Peter Law said "You have to live in deprivation to understand it, and to get to the capital city 45 miles away gives us employment, educational and social opportunities." Why do I tell you all of this?.. Cos they feature in every rail reopening proposal worth considering. Sustainability, Social inclusion, Employment, Tourism, Regeneration, Economic benefit. And the rest. You know the story all too well. As do those charged with transport policy in England. Where, sadly, the Government apparently still wishes we would all leap aboard the bus. To be carted through the traffic that public transport is supposed to cut down on... apparently blinkered to the well known fact that most motorists would gladly take the train if high quality services are provided at affordable rates. The facts speak for themselves: In the last ten years rail travel is up by almost 40%. Despite the much peddled line that "people are in love with their cars", over half the population already use rail. Over a billion passengers now travel by rail each year.. higher than at any time since Half of all journeys over 25 miles are by rail. Light rail/tram schemes are incredibly successful. Despite train/tram-lookalike low cut windscreens, executive seating et al... the fact remains that a journey to Manchester on the new [and cutback from Colne to Nelson] express bus takes an hour and a half compared to the [rail] journey in the 1930 s that took a little over an hour for the full Monty. The Reverend W. Awdry s Thomas the Tank and Bertie the Bus learned a long time ago that the only way forward was co operation. Leading to integrated, seamless transport with rail at its core.. supported by quality buses servicing outlying regions. Put simply.. horses for courses. MEET OUR PATRONS.. We ve always told you that SELRAP s patrons are high profile, influential individuals. Now you can meet them and hear what they have to say about the campaign to see the Skipton-Colne railway reopened as part of the national network. Nicholas Owen.. Writer and broadcaster" I travel around Britain a good deal. One thing that strikes me more and more is the heavy traffic not just in the busiest and biggest towns and cities, or on the motorways, but on almost every road and village street. Which is why campaigns like that to get trains back between Skipton and Colne deserve every support. I am happy to give it." David Curry MP (Con) Skipton & Ripon I am delighted to reaffirm my support for the campaign to reopen the Skipton-Colne railway. And been struck by the degree of support for the project, the efficient marshalling of that support and the very impressive assessment of relevant economic and social data Gordon Prentice MP (Lab) Pendle Selrap has done a great job on raising public awareness and getting local authorities to sing from the same song sheet. There is a huge coalition of support for reinstatement of the railway; the cost of bringing it back would be relatively modest; it would open up new economic and recreational opportunities for people on both sides of the regional border Nigel Evans MP (Con) Ribble valley "I am fully in support of the moves to re-open the Skipton Colne Railway line as part of the national network. I commend the on going work of SELRAP and the campaign has my full backing. When we are trying to encourage commuters off the road and on to other forms of transport - a commitment to a project like this by all those involved would be a clear indication of this intent and I know it is heartily supported by the wider community."

6 6 Chris Davis MEP (Lib Dem) North West The failure to accept that the rail system needs now to be expanded is short sighted. Local authorities on both sides of the Pennine Way need to start factoring the line into their transport strategies. The assumption should be: 'it is going to happen and this is the difference it will make'." Diana Wallis MEP (Lib Dem) Yorks & Humber "I am very pleased to be one of SELRAP's patrons. The campaign to reinstate the rail link from Skipton to Colne has gathered real momentum over the past couple of years so that there is now a real possibility of the rail line reopening. However we must keep the pressure on at all levels. WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR SELRAP The list of those who support proposals for reopening the Skipton-Colne line continues to grow. Plainly, individual reasons for offering that support will be many and varied. Those same criteria feature time and time again. You know them all by now.. together with politicians seeking re election at any level. Got it in one.. Sustainability, Social Inclusion, Accessibility. And the rest.. Below, in no particular order are the major players. With apologies if your organisation is not featured. If so, give SELRAP a call. North Yorkshire County Council.. whose Draft LTP2 for the period features a [guarded] reference to support for reopening the line. Lancashire County Council aware of other proposals for developing the local railway network... including Colne-Skipton in conjunction with NYCC. Craven District Council. Skipton Town Council. Pendle Borough Council. Earby, Kelbrook, Sough Parish, and Foulridge Parish Councils. Pendle Environmental Network. Colne Connected... the Colne Market Town Partnership. Burnley Borough Counci.l Burnley Action Partnership. Lancashire Partnership s long term Community strategy Ambition Lancashire supports improved trans Pennine rail connections. Steer, Davies, Gleave Two Counties study backs long term future for the line as a strategic trans-pennine [rail] route. East Lancashire Housing Market Renewal Strategy of the Elevate Pathfinder indicates that rail transport is an important factor in regeneration and building sustainable communities. The Northern Way Growth Strategy: Moving Forward backs the Reinstatement of the Colne-Skipton Railway in its Central Lancashire City Region. Development Programme for linking East Lancashire with Manchester and Leeds, Yorkshire and Humberside in conjunction with Lancashire Economic Partnership. Countryside Agency [under its Vital Villages Initiative], identified the lack of Public Transport as the most important problem/issue at its Visioning Event ; one of the main solutions to solving the problem was reopening the Railway between Lancashire and Yorkshire. Council for the Protection of Rural England Rail Passenger Committee (North West). WORTH NOTING.. Although not strictly allied to SELRAP s campaign, of interest is the recent announcement by Kitty Ussher MP for Burnley. Who is willing to support any group that is looking to expand the railway. Together with four other East Lancashire MPs, that include SELRAP patron Gordon Prentice and none other than Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, she recently wrote to the NWDA clearly stating the wish to expand rail services in the area. Citing employment opportunities, tourism, and more, her bid called for improved rail links between East Lancashire and Manchester. Or to put it another way... reinstate the Todmorden curve! (A potential route for Skipton-Manchester trains) The Strategic Rail Authority retained ownership of the rail trackbed between Colne and Foulridge. OK, for SRA, read DfT. Who only retain sites that have potential for re use as a railway. Network Rail is focussing on reducing the unit cost of network maintenance and renewal, not simply on reducing the network s size. So successful have they been that 2004/5 saw an underspend of 800 million. Sufficient to re build the Skipton-Colne line. And several more! ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES? Those charged with transport planning need to be aware that alternatives to full rail reinstatement have been considered. The following is a summary of an article written by SELRAP (and ICE) member Steve Arnold... who examines options for the East Lancashire/North Yorkshire corridor: The Full Monty... involving reconstruction of the line to full national standards to take all forms of traffic. And electrified throughout. As above but without electrification. But questions concerning quality of service would remain. Rolling stock et al. Fact remains, though, that such a scheme could be tied into [rail] services into the Dales. Via the route to Grassington and Heritage line to Bolton Abbey. The Tramway or Light Railway. Potentially less costly

7 7 and more flexible, modern vehicles are capable of carrying many passengers quickly and comfortably between urban centres. But although providing the link to the Dales it would not be accessible to standard rolling stock. And is only half an answer for it cannot help with the movement of freight. Then there s the Guided Busway... probably the cheapest solution in providing a rapid link between Colne and Skipton... for where there are obstacles, the bus returns to the road. Or Dual Road-Rail Vehicles currently being developed. That could provide a service between Skipton and Colne... returning to rail in Colne station for an onward journey to Preston. Conclusion From the outset of its campaign, SELRAP has advocated full reinstatement of the Skipton-Colne railway as part of the National Network. And none of the alternatives cause the group to deviate from that view. Or come close to providing a viable local and strategic transport for the region. Full electrification between West and East Coast lines - Skipton to Preston would be a forward looking solution, providing an efficient and effective addition to the rail network, whilst giving an enormous boost to the economy of the region. NORHERN REVIEW. AND A DfT STATEMENT Get more passengers on to rail. Provide services people will want to use. To destinations they demand. Let s call it... Community Rail. And connect East Lancashire to Manchester with trains fit for the 21 st century. Then we ll extend services to Skipton and put on through trains to Manchester Airport. SELRAP s nothing if not idealistic. Yet quietly aware that extending services to Skipton is unlikely to feature in the ongoing review of Northern Rail s 8 year franchise. But nothing s been ruled in or out! It is being regarded as a precursor to the High Level Output Statement from the DfT... due in Which will set out the size and type of rail system the Government believes the country can afford. Read into that what you will. Cynics might regard the brief as a charter for closures. What happens then? People climb into their cars and drive them to their destinations. Not to the stations that remain. We know this now. The Governments of Scotland and Wales recognise that what can be removed can be replaced. And that rail has an increasing role within transport infrastructure. What will it take for an outbreak of common sense... that recognises the many and varied advantages to be gained by expanding the rail network? And being proud to pay for it. As an investment in its taxpaying public. SELRAP will monitor [all] recommendations made in the review. And, taking these into account, will lobby the DfT for the inclusion of rail reopening within the remit for the HLOS. FROM THIS TO THAT Hard to believe. But these two photographs were taken on the same day. In Yet light years apart. On the left, the driver of this ancient bus on rails has stopped his train to pull on a rope. That will activate level crossing barriers and allow him to proceed. This timewarp features on all services using the line. Meet the Colne branch. A dozen miles away, the driver of this modern electric train has just pulled smoothly into beautifully presented Skipton station. Doesn t seem quite fair. Does it? Community Rail has arrived not a moment too soon. With a promise of better everything for East L ancashire s rail service, SELRAP applauds this major step towards 21 st century rail travel. But take a look at these massive erections... that stride cross Burnley and Colne. Twenty vertigo inducing arches in total. That will need more than a shot of Viagra if they re to be maintained. And retained. For, currently carrying an hourly service on the short single line branch line to Colne, these structures could so easily be Ribbleheaded. Remember... back in the eighties? The millions British Rail claimed were required to make Ribblehead viaduct safe. That subtly engineered drama almost closed the Settle to Carlisle line. A major inter-city route. What chance a 7 mile branch to nowhere in particular? When engineers discover that the waterproof decking membrane is found to have broken down. And cracks have developed. It doesn t take rocket science to realise that maintaining infrastructure like this is a costly affair... justifiable only for a through route carrying the heavy traffic it was all designed to take. The Colne branch is pivotal to reopening proposals. SELRAP believes the only guarantee for its long term future is as a re opened through route to Skipton and beyond. Like long term partners, each project needs the other. Call it cooperation. Or interdependence. With the potential for providing high quality joined up rail services across the region. And beyond. Together with the economic and social benefits known to follow in the wake of new rail initiatives.

8 8 FOR THE FUTURE Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership RECONNECTING YOUR REGION MEMBERSHIP Supported by HML Homeloan Management Ltd FORM To support SELRAP s campaign to see the Skipton Colne railway reopened as part of the National Network, please complete the form and send it to our Membership Secretary. Address below. Name... Phone... I enclose my membership fee of Address... Mobile... Concessions 3.00 (retired, unwaged,... e mail... student) which, I understand, is... Please tell us where you heard renewable annually. Payable to SELRAP.... about SELRAP Signature... Membership Secretary: Derek Jennings, 3 Hamilton Road, Carr Hall, Barrowford, Lancs BB9 6DE Tel e mail: membership@selrap.org.uk Fee enclosed... SELRAP s campaign to see the Skipton-Colne railway reopened as part of the National Network has met with spectacular success. To the extent that the question on the minds of most now is simply... When? SO WHAT NEXT? A lateral look at funding for the project. With an eye on creating a bigger bang, early discussions with Pendle Borough and Craven District Council point towards the establishment of an alliance or partnership. Both Authorities have declared support for re establishing the Skipton Colne railway. Ongoing engagement with Lancashire CC... for inclusion of SELRAP s proposal within LTP 2. Watch this space for further developments. WHY DO WE DO IT? A hundred years ago the nation s rail network exceeded 20,000 route miles... serviced by 7,000 stations. When the author was a youngster 5,000 stations serviced 17,000 route miles. And most places were still accessible by rail. Currently 2,500 stations service just 11,000 route miles. Put another way.. 2,500 towns and villages disconnected from the nation s transport infrastructure. Together with the social and economic benefits it afforded. In my lifetime. SELRAP s campaign is one of many pressure groups seeking to reverse just a few of those damaging closures. To join us, please make use of the membership form opposite. Open committee meetings for Mon Jan. 9th@ 7.30pm St Stephens School, Gargrave Road, Skipton Mon Mar pm Open Door Centre (opposite Colne Town Hall) Mon May New Road Community Centre, Earby. Mon July 7.30pm St Stephens School, Gargrave Road, Skipton See SELRAP s website for more information on progress towards the restoration of rails between Skipton and Colne CravenRail is edited by: Andy Shackleton, Higher Park Farm, Kelbrook Road, Barnoldswick, Lancs., BB18 5TD Tel e mail cravenrail@selrap.org.uk If there are issues you wish to raise, or draw to the attention of the Executive Committee, please make use of the contact details above.