Labour calls for support in Autumn Budget to re-open rail lines

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, Shadow Transport Secretary, Andy McDonald MP, says he is calling on the Government to match the Labour Party’s commitment to boost investment in and expand the rail network by filling in the missing rail links.

The Party states re-opening rail lines "have local support, are positive for business and can boost areas of economic deprivation". They can also "alleviate congestion, reduce social isolation and improve productivity".

Labour has identified the Skipton-Colne Rail line as one such high priority scheme that can help connect additional towns and cities and help to realise the benefits for the planned Crossrail for the North.

Mr McDonald said: “The social, economic and environmental case for expanding our rail network is clear, but the Tories have starved much of our country of the investment needed for our regions to reach their full potential.

“Under-investment in the regions is holding our economy back, particularly the absence of Northern East-West rail links, which is why there is such a strong case for reopening the line between Colne and Skipton and for greater investment throughout the country.

"The route is a vital link between East Lancashire and Yorkshire, and when completed would deliver 50 miles of electrified railway line from Leeds to Burnley.

“Reopening this line has the potential to be transformative for the area. It’s exactly the type of scheme that needs exploring as part of a much more significant commitment to boost investment in the North and close regional funding divides.”

According figures obtained by the Labour Party, spending on transport overall in Yorkshire and the Humber between 2012/2012 and 2015/16 amounted to just over £8 billion, as opposed to over £30.6 billion in London.

Spending on railways over the same period totalled £3.08 billion in the region as opposed to almost £21 billion in the capital.