Lancashire Live news, 7th August 2024
The decision by new chancellor Rachel Reeves to cancel the scheme has been branded a 'betrayal'
Rossendale's potential for a future railway or tram link deserves further study and funding, some councillors have said following the new government's cancellation of the Restoring your Railway Fund.
The scheme had funded business case research into a possible train and tram link from Rawtenstall to Bury and Manchester. But it has been cancelled by new chancellor Rachel Reeves MP. The decision was branded a 'betrayal' by Rossendale Council's Conservative group leader Coun Scott Smith last week. He said a new rail link was vital.
Earlier this year, former Rossendale Conservative MP Jake Berry suggested Rossendale Council and neighbouring councils such as Bury might work together to see if the Greater Manchester Metrolink tram network could be extended to the Rossendale.
Separately, there is a campaign to reconnect Colne with Skipton for better northern links between east Lancashire, Bradford and Leeds. This week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked other Rossendale councillors or their thoughts.