[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Oh right, sorry, Mr T! I would've thought they'd go through to Blackpool, as many services do now.

The problem is Wyn, that there are already trains running direct from Blackpool to Manchester, via Preston; there are also additional trains running from Preston to Manchester and of course, there are trains from Clitheroe/Blackburn running to Manchester. So what will be the business case for putting on additional services to go via Accrington and Todmorden to Manchester?

I can't see a terminal/start point at Accrington - there is no room, unless we knock down Tesco to build a new platform and I can't see trains starting from Colne (unless they build/rebuild(?) a curve between Rose Grove & Hapton to link up with the Hebden Bridge line, which then takes Accy out the equation – unless you’re prepared to change at Burnley Manchester Rd. Add on the waiting time for that, and it’s going to be a lot quicker by the existing bus service, the X41. So what about the people in Burnley/Nelson/Colne? They’ll need to get to BMrd – so it may be quicker for them to use their bus service X43.

In addition, the cost quoted is simply the construction costs of reinstating the curve. The train operating companies have to provide (either purchase or lease) the rolling stock and they’re not going to do that unless they can be sure of getting a return. I just don’t see that this has been properly thought through, other than as an electoral bribe to the people of Burnley/Colne and possibly Accy