Signalling work on a long awaited direct train link from Accrington to Manchester is set to be completed this weekend.

Network Rail engineers are expected to complete the installation of signalling on the £8.8m ‘Todmorden Curve’ and hand the stretch of track over to operators Northern Rail on Monday, February 9 for driver training.

The opening of the line, which was put back from May 2014 to December 2014 because of a lack of rolling stock, now looks to be on track to open for May 2015.

The successive delays led the to Observer launch its ‘Get us Back on Track’ campaign last year when it was revealed that a shortage of rolling stock would delay the opening of the line.

The 300-metre stretch of track, which was closed almost five decades ago, will allow journey times to Manchester to be halved from 90 minutes to 45.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Work to complete the installation of signalling on the new Todmorden Curve took place over the weekend, with final commissioning completed by 9 February.

"Northern Rail will then begin driver training, with services operating from the timetable change in May."

A Northern Rail spokesman added: "We have been working closely with our partners to introduce a new service from Manchester to Blackburn via the Todmorden Curve as soon as possible."

"We hope to start route-learning for our train crew as soon as the signalling work is completed, with services operating from the 2015 timetable change in May."