A PIVOTAL moment in the campaign to see the Skipton to Colne railway line reopened took place on Friday when two MPs normally on opposite sides of the fence expressed solidarity for the cause.

Members of pressure group Selrap - the Skipton East Lancashire Railway Action Partnership - along with local dignitaries from both sides of the border, looked on as Skipton MP David Curry (Cons) and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice (Lab) met at the constituency boundary and shook hands over a red and white ribbon placed across the trackbed of the line.

Selrap's liaison officer, Andy Shackleton spoke of the thrill felt by the group in hosting partnership patrons Mr Curry and Mr Prentice.

Mr Shackleton went on to outline the group's ambitions to see the line reopen by 2012.

Mr Curry stated that he would work together with those prepared to further reopening proposals for the line. He stressed that reopening the artery between major economic centres on either side of the Pennines had to be for the common good.

Mr Prentice praised the work of Selrap and reminded those attending of his adjournment debate in Parliament earlier this year concerning reopening proposals and of support offered by the MPs.

He went on to speak of the group's perseverance with its proposals which has turned public opinion around to the extent that their aims are now also supported by the county councils of Lancashire and North Yorkshire and district councils of Craven and Pendle.

Mr Shackleton said: "The event has to be viewed as just one further step in Selrap's ongoing campaign. And as proof, if proof were needed, of the fact that transport issues should not be viewed as some sort of political football but ones concerning the greater good of the society it serves."