Passengers in Pennine Lancashire could benefit from a new approach to Government funding of new local and regional train services.Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced today that the Department for Transport could take over long-term financial support for new or enhanced rail services that are promoted successfully by local authorities and Passenger Transport Authorities.
Blackburn with Darwen Council would like to get a new off-peak Blackburn to Manchester service running for passengers every half hour, under a proposal being developed with Network Rail and Northern Rail.
Other initiatives which authorities are looking at include a new service between Burnley and Manchester and improved services in the Tees Valley.
If services like these, prove successful they could be funded through franchise agreements.
Many local authorities have found it difficult to take forward improved services because of the potentially high running costs involved. Under this new approach, after a successful trial period, local authorities could ask the DfT to consider supporting the services through a franchise agreement.
To benefit from the new arrangements, the new or enhanced service would have to have been run successfully for the first three years and show good value for money.
The Government could then decide to take on long term financial responsibility for these successful services, easing the burden on local authorities and ensuring the continued operation of a service which is benefiting passengers.
Councillor Michael Lee, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The future growth and prosperity of Pennine Lancashire is inextricably linked to the economic success of Manchester – and vice versa given our economic transformation agenda. Improved public transport links between our towns and cities is essential if these aspirations and economic benefits are to be realised and shared more widely than at present”.
Burnley council leader, Gordon Birtwistle, said: “This is great news. If the government can provide us with long-term support with the running costs in re-opening the Todmorden Curve, that will be another step towards making this important aspiration a reality. Re-opening the Todmorden Curve, just 350 metres of track, will halve travel time to Manchester from 80 minutes to 40 minutes and bring somewhere in the region of £8 million to the local economy. Improving rail links in Burnley and Blackburn is vital for the continued economic growth of the Pennine Lancashire region.”
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: “This new approach could bring real benefits for passengers by encouraging local authorities and train companies to work together to introduce new or improved services. The availability of funding should provide the encouragement local authorities are looking for if they believe there’s a sound case based on passenger demand for improving a service or bringing in a new one. “
To take advantage of the new scheme local authorities must first identify the best way of meeting a local transport need. If a train service offers the best solution and has support from the rail industry, the local authority must then show that the rail scheme has a business case, secure the necessary start-up capital funding, (through sources such as the Regional Funding Allocation), and commit to funding the service for at least three years.
If successful the new service could then be included within a franchise agreement, guaranteeing its future operation. Services which have proved successful could get funding from April 2014, from a budget set in 2012.
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