Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24054 on Colne-Skipton Railway Line, if she will publish the completed feasibility work.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The findings of this work have been presented to all the Local Transport Authorities along the proposed route, Transport for the North, and the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) campaign group.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 6 January 2020 to Question 492 on Colne-Skipton Railway Line, whether her Department has completed the further feasibility work.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
All feasibility work relating to the proposed reinstatement of the Skipton-Colne line has been completed. While there is a strong strategic case for improving connectivity between East Lancashire and the Leeds city region, the scheme is currently unaffordable due to its high capital and operating costs. No DfT funding has been allocated for further development.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of restoring the Skipton to Colne rail route.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
All feasibility work relating to the proposed reinstatement of the Skipton-Colne line has been completed. While there is a strong strategic case for improving connectivity between East Lancashire and the Leeds city region, the scheme is currently unaffordable due to its high capital and operating costs. No DfT funding has been allocated for further development.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve passenger rail performance.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Improving railway performance and delivering reform is my top priority. The Rail Minister and I continue to hold Train Operating Companies and Network Rail to account through the levers available to us, and will not hesitate to take action where there is a breach. I have also recently announced that performance information will be displayed at stations, demonstrating transparency and allowing passengers to hold us to account as we deliver change.