Rail commuters from Accrington will soon be able to get to Manchester in 63 minutes thanks to the new Todmorden Curve rail link.

Services to Manchester will be running from May 17, more than a year on from the completion of the track.

The new service will also call at Church and Oswaldtwistle, but will not stop at Huncoat or Rishton.

Operators Northern Rail said the multi million pound investment has secured the first direct train service between East Lancashire and Manchester in more than 40 years.

In a statement on their website, the rail operator said: “The reinstatement of the 500m of track ‘will improve journey times between Burnley, Accrington and Manchester and will be a vital catalyst for jobs, economic growth and the visitor economy. “The project will put Burnley and Accrington within commuting distance of Manchester and open up job prospects, as well as tourist and leisure opportunities.”

An off peak day return from Accrington to Manchester Victoria will cost £10.10, while an anytime day return will be £12.70.

A duo ticket for two adults return will cost £15.10 while a weekly ticket will cost £44.50.

Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said the rail link is a step in the right direction.

He said: “Connectivity is essential for an area like Hyndburn, it opens up the potential for investment.

“In terms of the fares when you think about how much it would cost to drive up and park in Manchester I think they’re very reasonable.

“It’s a step in the right direction and we want to see proper rolling stock, not cattle sheds, and make it an attractive option to people so that the line is well used. The rail link for Accrington has been long overdue.”

MP for Hyndburn Graham Jones said he would have liked to see the ticket prices a bit cheaper.

He said: “I’m just delighted that the service is running. The setting of the prices is the responsibility of the county council and Northern Rail, I would have liked to see them a couple of pounds cheaper, but compared to other rail fares they’re okay.

“The big issue is the A56 is a bottleneck and a rail service will provide a reliable journey time to and from Manchester which offers more opportunities.

“I would like to have seen the return tickets and the weekly season tickets a bit cheaper, but as long as people can afford it.”

Direct trains from Accrington will run to Manchester Victoria from 6.23am until 9.44pm every hour, while the first train from Manchester will be 5.56am, with the last direct service leaving Victoria at 9pm.