Tuesday 29 Oct 2013
Todmorden curve set to boost Lancashire’s growing railway
- Region & Route:
More travel opportunities are on the way for passengers in Burnley and East Lancashire as engineers start work to construct a 300m section of track known as the Todmorden west curve.
The project, funded by Burnley Borough Council and Network Rail, will support economic growth in the region by allowing improved rail services and journey times between Burnley and Manchester Victoria.
Burnley Council leader Julie Cooper said: “It’s great to see progress being made on the new Todmorden Curve. This 300 metre stretch of track will have a massive positive impact on the future of our borough, providing residents with a direct rail link to Manchester and helping to boost our local economy by attracting new people and businesses into our borough.
“Work on the track is going ahead; now we have to continue to work on the issue of making sure trains are available to run on it as soon as possible after it’s completed.”
Dyan Crowther, route managing director for Network Rail said: “With more passengers and more journeys being made than ever before, demand for rail is booming and we have big plans to improve the railway in the north of England through the Northern Hub and the refurbishment of Manchester Victoria. The Todmorden curve will provide a boost for the Lancashire economy by unlocking the railway into Burnley”
Lee Wasnidge, Area Director for Northern Rail said: “This investment in reinstating the Todmorden Curve is another reason for rail users in the North to celebrate as more travel opportunities open up for them. Once the curve is complete, Manchester Victoria – Rochdale services will be extended to Todmorden with services to Burnley and Blackburn to follow.”
Notes to editors
In late 2011 £8.8 million of Regional Growth Fund funding was announced to help fund the Todmorden Curve and regeneration work in Burnley’s Weavers’ Triangle which lies adjacent to Manchester Road railway station and which will benefit from faster direct rail links to Manchester. The RGF bid was submitted by Burnley Council, Barnfield Investment Properties, Network Rail and Lancashire County Council.
The project creates a new section of track linking Todmorden to Burnley
This will involve the installation of a new junction near to Todmorden station, a new 300m section of track, maintenance to the existing junction at Stanfield Hall and re-signalling to the area.
There will also be a new footbridge to replace the existing Dobroyd railway crossing which will improve safety for the public and enable the safe installation of the revised signaling system which will improve train operations.
The new rail service between (Manchester) Todmorden and Blackburn will be supported by a partnership that includes Lancashire County Council and Burnley Borough Council. Initial plans are for an hourly service operating 7 days a week.
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