The new rail minister has pledged to ‘look into’ the Accrington to Manchester rail link following a government reshuffle.
Claire Perry MP has replaced Stephen Hammond MP as rail minister and Hyndburn MP Graham Jones has said that he has cornered the incoming transport chief about the rail link.
He said: “I have taken the opportunity straight away to speak to the new rail minister Claire Perry to make the point once again.
“Eighteen miles between Manchester and well paid jobs and Accrington, one new train line completed after seven years campaigning in May, still no train.
“She has promised to look into the issue with expediency.”
The £8.8m Todmorden Curve was completed in May and has given Accrington a direct train line to Manchester.
However due to a lack of train rolling stock there will be no services running until December.
The Observer in conjunction with Mr Jones is campaigning for the Department for Transport to step in and resolve this situation.
Mr Jones added: “The government needs to back our campaign to get us back on track.
“It’s not good enough that we don’t yet have a firm commitment to resolving the ridiculous lack of rolling stock.
“It’s not good enough that though we do have a new line to Manchester with all the employment benefits that could bring, we don’t have any trains to take people there.”
Sign our petition by visiting our Market Hall office or Mr Jones’ office.
