Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government with whom responsibility lies for the acquisition of rolling stock to commence operating a direct train service from Manchester to Burnley now that the new infrastructure is in place.

Although the work to reinstate the track is now finished, Network Rail has yet to complete the signalling infrastructure works that will allow trains to run through the full length of the curve in both directions. Once Network Rail has finished all the necessary infrastructure works, Northern will be able to begin driver route training.

The acquisition of rolling stock is a matter for the sponsor (Lancashire County Council) and the operator.