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I CLTTHEROEADVERTISER&TIMES


www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk Thursday,March19,2015


|Thursday,March19,2015 www.clithereeadvertiser.co.uk MP keen to promote tourism


Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans liament note “that local busi- and proper for Parliament to tabled an Early Day Motion in nesses such as the Whalley recognise the important con- Parliament recognising the Wine Shop, Mytton Fold Ho- tribution that tourism makes important contribution of -tel, Huntley’s, D. Byrne & Co. tothecountiy,andparticular- tourism to the economy and and Cowman’s Famous Sau- ly to the Ribble Valley, to theRibble Valley, coinciding sage Shop encourage visitors “We,have some fantastic with English Tourism Week, to come to Lancashire and businesses catering to that which runs from March 14th provide vital employment for sector and English Tourism to 22nd.


local people”. Week is an excellent oppor:


In the text of the motion Speaking from Westmin- tunity to congratulate them Mr Evans proposed that Par- ster Mr.Evans said: “It is right fortheirwork.”


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Rail supporters have welcomed newsthatthe Clitheroe-Bolton railway line has been recommended for electrification.


It is one of 12 lines in the North listed for priority by the Electrification Task Force,an independentcross- party body created in 2013 to determine how electrifica­ tion could deliver greater eco­ nomic growth in the region. The group’s report to the Secretary of State for Trans­ port, Patrick McLoughlin MP, called for electrification to be delivered from 2019 to 2024. The final decision on


whether to go ahead is down to Network Rail. Peter Eastham, secretary


of of the Ribble Valley Rail us­ ers’ group, said: “It’s the lat­ est bit of positive news for the line. Electric trains all the way to Manchester would be quicker, cleaner and quieter. “If it didn’t go ahead, we


Or our local number * u 4 3 2 v-*}8 0 GO ffeeto®».“ n<y [Service Rating: - v lUU./o


would be left as an island of diesel trains among the northern electrified lines, with ju s t a diesel shuttle service.” County Councillor John


Fillis, cabinet member for highwaysand transport,said: “We are beginning to see the


It’s electrifying! Report signals end of diesels


Clitheroe-Bolton line is placed on priority list


byEricBeardsworth eric.beardsworth@jpress.co.uk Twiotter: @dithadvertiser


VW ON A ROLL WITH ‘ROC


by Alan Candy Motoringwriter


We love the Scirocco with a passion. Enthusiasts were entranced by the original 1974 model - still highly regard­ ed as a VW legend and now sought-after as a classic car. And the UK is the second-


Diesel trains like this could eventually become a thing of the past on the Clitheroe-Bolton line if electrification goes ahead.


transformation of the Lanca­ shire network through the Northern Hub/NW electrifi­ cation project and the bene­ fits this brings. Theseinclude fasterjourneys and improved connectivity.” The Electrification Task


Force examined 32 routes in the North, grouping them into three tiers of priority. Clitheroe-Bolton is in the first tier, along with Colne- Preston. The task force is now rec­ ommending that business


cases should be produced for the proposed schemes. Transport Secretary Mr


McLoughlin said: “I want to see a rolling plan for further electrification and this study will have a vital part to play in setting the agenda for 2019 and beyond.” Improvements costing


£7-5m are due this summer on the Clitheroe-Bolton line, with some single track sec­ tions being converted back to double track, and upgrades with information screens in­ stalled at all stations. Northern lines already


being electrified include Liverpool-Wigan and Man- chester-Bolton-Preston- Blackpool.


largest market worldwide for the new generation Scirocco (behind China) and the largest in Europe, with sales of 5,029 in 2013. New Scirocco brought back


the revered model name to the VW stable back in 2008, to wide acclaim. I simply think it’s the most beautiful Volkswagen ever made. And after a week behind


the wheel of the latest, gen­ eration Scirocco, nothing has changed my mind. It remains one of the most desirable 2+2 sports coupes in the world, re­ gardless of price. In redefining the latest


Scirocco, Volkswagen have had the common sense not to


throw the baby out with the bathwater. With its wide, low stance, predatory headlamps, familiar angled air dam and rounded tail, it is still instant­ ly recognisable. The keen-eyed will note


that externally the Scirocco has been refined and modern­ ised with new headlamps and tail lights, as well as revised bumper styling. Front bumpers now have


aerodynamic ‘blades’ in the outer section, as on latest generation Golf GTI, with in­ tegrated indicator lights, day­ time running lights and fog lights. All Sciroccos now have the


ubiquitous LED tail lights that have become de rigueur. Per­ sonally I regard all LED lights on cars as a touch OTT and over bright, but they’re here, they’re more visible and un­ deniably easier to spot from distance.- As on a Golf, the chrome lo-


go badge also nowhas an addi­ tional purpose, functioning as a tailgate release handle.


■ It also has a psychological


role to play - the driver lays hands on that iconic badge. Inside, the Scirocco boasts


immaculate fit and finish, with smartly tailored furnish­ ings and plenty of tactile soft touch surfaces. The dashboard has been


updated with new-look chro­ nometer-style dials and a cute retro bank of three instru­ ment cluster atop the dash for chronometer, charge pressure and oil temperature - a tribute to the original 1974 models that will delight VW purists. On the move, the lush Sci­


rocco is an undeniably exhil­ arating experience in every respect, balanced by excellent economy. The 2.0 TDI150 PS model I drove boasts smooth and refined power output and can hit 62mph in a de­ cently quick 8.6 seconds, yet the model still returns a hand­ some 67.3mpg, with a CO2 out­ put of logg/km. Traditionalist will ap­ plaud the fact that the Sci­


rocco retains an ignition key and standard handbrake; enthusiasts will relish the car’s dynamic, supremely accomplished cornering and compelling drive. In par­ ticular, the latest electro­ mechanical power steering is highly impressive, with plenty


of involvement. Unlike some systems, it is able to vary the feel of the steering wheel to suit the speed and driving sit­ uation - firm and direct when driving hard, effortless at park­ ing speeds. At top speeds, the Sciroc­ co always feels rock steady


and safe, even over rough roads, although there is some bump-thump through the suspension. With the added practical­


ity of a surprisingly deep and Q useful boot, the Scirocco re- mains the sports coupe of the moment.


www.clitheroeadvertister.co.ukmotors Motors


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