Boost for campaign to reopen Skipton-Colne railway line

The old Skipton-Colne railway route (Image: Newsquest)

Keighley News, 6th May 2026

The long‑awaited extension of the East Lancashire route from Colne to Skipton has been included as a priority for the new Lancashire Combined County Authority.

The scheme is high on a lengthy list of projects in the devolved body’s first Local Transport Plan (LTP) implementation plan outlining its road, rail and active travel strategy up to 2045.

David Penney, an executive member of campaign group Skipton and East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP), said the move would provide accessible integrated and interconnected transport in the area.

SELRAP is pressing for the reopening of the 12-mile Skipton-Colne route – which backers say would create huge economic benefits for Keighley, providing a direct rail link into Lancashire. The railway line was closed in 1970.

Keighley Town Council, and Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore, are among those who have voiced their backing for the route's restoration.

The new Lancashire Combined County Authority is a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council – which is taking over some powers and funding, currently administered by central government, as part of devolution.

The Colne-Skipton line extension has been the subject of a long campaign for the route to be reinstated, giving a direct rail link from East Lancashire to Yorkshire and Leeds.

The project is top of the list of ‘Connecting Lancashire’ schemes in the blueprint, which says it would cost over £150 million and take more than 10 years to complete.

In the feasibility category, the LTP says the scheme would open "a new trans‑Pennine rail route, relieving congestion on the Calder Valley, Standedge and Hope Valley routes, providing an alternative east–west route for freight traffic, also increasing the frequency of passenger services between Preston and Leeds, and potentially reducing journey times and opening up East Lancashire to electrified suburban passenger services to and from Leeds".

Mr Penney said: “The Skipton and East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership welcomes Lancashire Combined County Authority’s support for the scheme as it will provide accessible integrated and interconnected public rail and bus transport services in urban and rural East Lancashire and beyond.

“The transport implementation plan recognises the national importance of rail connectivity as the key driver for economic growth, as well as promoting rail travel to reduce pollution on roads and meet the targets for the decarbonisation of transport."