Your Skipton Radio

6:00pm - 7:00am

Email the studio

Belinda Carlisle

Heaven Is A Place On Earth

Listen Live Podcasts

MP to meet Transport Secretary for Skipton-Colne rail link talks

Monday, 13 January 2025 14:25

Robbie Moore MP with campaigners from SELRAP

Local MP Robbie Moore is to meet the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to push for the reopening of the Skipton to Colne railway line.

The 12-mile stretch of track closed in 1970, meaning rail users wanting to get from Skipton to Lancashire or Manchester have to go via Leeds.

Following an in depth update on the project from the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) late last year, Mr Moore - MP for Keighley and Ilkley - asked the Secretary of State: “The Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership campaign group has long been advocating, as have I, for a new rail link between Skipton and Colne, because it will bring huge benefits to the likes of Keighley, for both freight and passengers. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss this long ongoing campaign that I have been advocating for?”

The Secretary of State has now agreed to the meeting.

In a presentation to a cross-party group of MPs last year, SELRAP argue that the construction of an “effective, fast and modern transport link” between East Lancashire and Leeds would generate 270,000 to 330,000 passengers per year, providing key transport links between Yorkshire and Lancashire and providing the “missing link” between the counties.

Mr Moore says the reopened railway would create new commuting options for people to work in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, open-up speedier access to Manchester Airport and the University of Central Lancashire, and boost connectivity for Keighley's engineering sector with businesses in Lancashire and beyond.

Robbie Moore MP said:

“The reinstatement of a railway line between Skipton and Colne has my full support and would provide a much-needed boost to transport connectivity right across our area. With the start of a new Parliament, now is the perfect time to promote SELRAP’s proposals and I look forward to my meeting with the Secretary of State to bang the drum for this project.

"I will be playing my part to help SELRAP get the attention from Government that it needs."

You can find out more about SELRAP and the plans at https://www.selrap.org.uk/

More from Local news

Friends of the Dales Launches ‘Eyes on the Skies’ Campaign to Stop Raptor Persecution

Friends of the Dales has launched a new initiative, Eyes on the Skies, aimed at raising awareness of raptor persecution in the Yorkshire Dales and encouraging efforts to protect vulnerable birds of prey.
Sue Ryder's Christmas Treecycling scheme launched

National healthcare and bereavement charity Sue Ryder is calling on residents in the Craven area to ‘branch out’ and recycle their real Christmas tree this January.
Skipton MP praises 'tremendous progress' of £82.5million Kex Gill project

Ripon and Skipton MP Sir Julian Smith has praised the “tremendous progress” of the £82.5million Kex Gill realignment scheme.
Skipton to feature in new North Yorkshire Calendar

North Yorkshire Council has released a new set of calendars for 2026, each highlighting historic photographs from several towns across the county.
Ermysted's to adopt new Year 7 Admissions Test

Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton has announced it will introduce a new entrance test from next September.
Accounting firm in Silsden celebrates 7 years in business

Marshall Krysko Limited in Silsden is marking its seventh anniversary today.
Runner proposes during Skipton Santa Fun Run

Andrew Crook and Sally Boocock took part in the Santa Fun Run this Sunday.
Police video highlights dangers of drink and drug driving at Christmas

To mark the start of its winter drink and drug drive campaign, North Yorkshire Police have released a powerful new video highlighting the devastating consequences of driving after consuming alcohol.
Yorkshire Water says end of hosepipe ban is near as rainfall continues

Yorkshire Water says hosepipe restrictions could be lifted 'within weeks' as sustained rainfall continues to boost water supplies across the region.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance raises £52,000 at first ever fundraising ball

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has raised more than £52,000 as part of its first ever fundraising ball.
Mayor of Skipton to raise money for children's hospice charity

Skipton’s Christmas Light Switch-On will include a series of fundraising activities led by the Mayor of Skipton, Councillor Winston Feather.
CCTV installed at Skipton bus station following crime reports

A new temporary CCTV camera has been installed at Skipton Bus Station following concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
Yorkshire housing market won't suffer budget blues

Skipton estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley, believes Yorkshire’s housing market will be largely immune to the property tax changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in this week’s autumn budget.
Opticians provide Skipton pupils with hi-vis to stay visible this winter

A team of opticians has delivered 60 hi-vis vests to pupils at Embsay Primary School to help them stay safe and seen during the darker months.
Reshuffle of North Yorkshire Council committees set to take place next year

A reshuffle of North Yorkshire Council's committees following the Conservative-led group’s loss of its majority may not take place until next year.
North Yorkshire's mayor welcomes 'landmark' budget and new tourism tax powers

York and North Yorkshire’s elected mayor has welcomed the ‘biggest landmark budget in decades’ amid a promise of investment for the region.
Skipton Santa Fun Run is a record-breaker as entries close

Entry for this Sunday's Great Skipton Santa Fun Run has now closed, with a highest-ever 2,500 people set to take part.
CCTV images released following bike theft in Skipton

North Yorkshire Police have released CCTV images of an individual they would like to speak to
More than 200 cyclists injured on North Yorkshire roads in past year

Newly released data shows that more than 200 cyclists were injured in road traffic collisions across North Yorkshire during the past year.
Local nursery thank butchers for book sponsorship

DRake and Macefield butchers located in Skipton, recently provided nursery children with new books.