Asked by: Baroness Massey of Darwen (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they make of (1) the case for improved commuter services from Manchester to Clitheroe, (2) the case for improved commuter services from Manchester to Burnley, and (3) the case for restoring the rail link from Manchester to Rawtenstall.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
Her Majesty’s Government has recently concluded a consultation on the future of the Northern and TransPennine Express rail franchises. We are currently analysing the responses and considering options for the specifications for these franchises, including those between Manchester and Clitheroe and Manchester and Burnley, which we expect to publish in the Invitations to Tender for both franchises in December this year.
The case for restoring the rail link from Bury to Rawtenstall (part of the East Lancashire heritage railway) is being considered as part of the A56/M66 Haslingden/Rawtenstall to Manchester gateway study to be carried out by Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Asked by: Baroness Massey of Darwen (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for improving inter-regional rail links in the North West of England, particularly between East Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
The case for improving inter-regional rail links in the North West of England has been assessed in a number of studies including the Northern Hub and Network Rail’s Lancashire and Cumbria and North-West Route Utilisation strategies. The case will be further addressed in respect of Network Rail’s Control Period 6 (2019-2024) and beyond through the Northern Route Study as part of Network Rail’s Long Term Planning Process to inform decisions on the Government’s Rail Investment Strategy for Control Period 6.
Asked by: Baroness Massey of Darwen (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve rail links between East Lancashire and Manchester; and what factors were considered when making judgements about which projects to support.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
Plans to improve rail links between East Lancashire and Manchester including the scheme to install a two-mile loop between Darwen and Sough tunnel (near Entwistle) to facilitate additional services between Blackburn and Manchester and the introduction of improved Burnley – Manchester services using the recently-constructed curve at Todmorden are being promoted by the relevant local authorities. The judgement of which projects to support is a matter for the promoters.
Asked by: Baroness Massey of Darwen (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many representations have been made to Ministers at the Department for Transport by Members of Parliament about regional rail link improvements from Manchester to East Lancashire since May 2010 including (1) to Clitheroe, (2) to Burnley, and (3) to Rawtenstall.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
A number of representations have been made by Members of Parliament since May 2010 concerning rail improvements in the North-West. In addition there has been one Adjournment Debate on improving rail services between Clitheroe, Blackburn and Manchester, one letter regarding improvements to Clitheroe, twelve Parliamentary Questions and six letters concerning the Todmorden curve or services to Burnley, and two Parliamentary Questions concerning the Rawtenstall rail extension project.