SELRAP Letter Published
- David Penney
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Burnley Express readers' letter: 'rail connectivity key driver for economic growth'
By Dave Penney
Published 10th Apr 2026, 13:56 BST
The Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership welcomes The Public Consultation on proposed new bus improvements in East Lancashire. (Leader & Times, 3rd April 2026). This should be part of an integrated and interconnected public transport plan, which reflects national and county policies.
Government Transport Policy centres around the importance of rail connectivity as the key driver for economic growth as well as promoting rail travel to reduce pollution on our roads and meet the targets for the Decarbonisation of Transport;
The revised National Planning Policy Framework encourages planners and developers to build affordable housing close rail and bus interchanges/hubs, accessible by foot or bike for those who cannot afford to buy new houses or run cars;
Lancashire Combined County Authority's Local Transport Plan focuses on rail connectivity linking to bus public transport to give access of education, training, jobs for those in deprived as well as rural areas without a car. Pendle, Burnley and Hyndburn have very low levels of average household incomes and Pendle one of the highest levels of child poverty.
This also fits in with the emerging LCCA Growth Plan 2025-2035, which focuses on the area of the county between the deprived areas of Blackpool and East Lancashire, which follow the route of the railway;
LCCA is transforming East Lancashire with major Active Travel investments of £55m., some of which is Levelling Up funding, targeting walking and cycling infrastructure, which will enable residents to access local Public Transport Hubs.
Dave Penney
SELRAP executive
Keighley Road, Colne
