HOTSPOTS ROSSENDALE By Ged Henderson
OPENING UP THE VALLEY
The latest stage of our Hotspot tour of Lancashire sees us in Rossendale. Leaders from business, local government and education came together at Rossendale Council’s offices in Bacup with the spotlight firmly on transport and regeneration
When it comes to the issue of transport and connectivity Rossendale could be described as the not-so-happy valley.
Business leaders highlight the need for better transport links between its communities as well as with the rest of Lancashire and the wider North West, warning that without improvements the situation will be a barrier to future economic growth.
It’s an issue that has even been raised in the Commons by local MP Andy MacNae. He has highlighted the fact Rossendale is the only local authority area in the north of England without any sort of rail station or commuter link.
And he also spoken of the area’s local public transport challenges, telling MPs some of the villages in the borough had “long felt cut off”.
Stressing the need for action, he told the
house: “Public transport is vital to not only the connectivity and economic growth of our communities, but the wellbeing of our residents.”
It’s a message being echoed loudly by local business leaders. David Connor, director at WHN Solicitors, says: “If you live in Bacup and you’re trying to get to the other end of Rawtenstall in the morning, it takes you as long as it does to travel from Rawtenstall to Manchester.”
And Grant McGeever, managing director of Haslingden based manufacturing business Rospen Industries, relates the story of an employee, also from Bacup, whose commute to work by bus sometimes took three and a half hours to complete.
David Smurthwaite, director of economic development at Rossendale Council, says that improving transport links with neighbouring
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Greater Manchester is a particular imperative. And he points out that Rossendale is in fact the second largest population in the country without a train link.
He adds: “Whatever the route, better communications with Greater Manchester are absolutely essential for our businesses, for our labour markets, for people going out but also people coming into the area. It’s absolutely vital.”
And that’s where a long-mooted rail or tram link with the big city comes in. The case for restoring a commuter service between Rawtenstall and Manchester has been set out for some time.
The aim has been to look to use an existing heritage rail link to link the town to Bury and the Greater Manchester Metro system.
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