NPR and Skipton to Colne Line

Letter in Keighley News, 28th February 2026

I WRITE regarding the letter from Ash Whitehead published in the Keighley News, about the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.

He says this project "represents hope, ambition and long-term thinking".

But in short, it is another rail route between Liverpool and Manchester, with some highly-expensive new line and some measly upgrades for Yorkshire. It will do nothing for Keighley.

The pedestrianisation of the station forecourt as called for within the Airedale Masterplan, wider pavements and a direct crossing opposite the station entrance would be far more transformative for Keighley.

Perhaps if this plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail included reopening the long-called-for line between Skipton and Colne, his comments may have some merit, but sadly it doesn't.

Michael Bradley, Halifax