Shadow Transport team throws their support behind Rishton station stop to Manchester campaign.
Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon MP and Shadow Rail Minister Tan Dhesi MP have thrown their support behind the campaign to add Rishton as a stop to the East Lancashire to Manchester service via the Todmorden Curve.
Organised by the former MP, Graham Jones, Labour councillors Kate Walsh and Noordad Aziz and local residents met with Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon MP and Shadow Rail Minister Tan Dhesi MP to discuss with senior Parliamentarians the importance of improving rail services from Rishton station. Importantly having the Manchester Victoria service stop at Rishton. Rishton station serves 20,000 Hyndburn residents.
Great Harwood Councillor Noordad Aziz said, “Good transport links are the key to social and economic mobility. Direct trains to Manchester would allow young residents to aspire in their studies and give them access to more skilled jobs within commuting distance. This is just one improvement the government can make and will benefit Rishton and Great Harwood residents.”
Rishton Councillor Kate Walsh said, ”It’s important that Rishton is on the rail map with greater frequency of services including a new service to Manchester as well as to Preston and to other stops along the line. The bus to Accrington can take over an hour to go to college for example. We must invest in local people and their communities and give Rishton and Great Harwood residents the services they deserve.”
Local campaigner, Jodi Clements from Rishton who is standing in the local elections said, ”We need Rishton to be a place that offers people good connections. The government must invest and provide a public transport system the south enjoys and at the same time reducing congestion pollution and our carbon footprint.”
Former MP Graham Jones said, “We have to think bigger and aspire for a brighter, more positive future. Transport always brings prosperity. There have been 96,000 passenger journeys a year to Manchester Victoria since the service was introduced at Accrington station. That’s nearly 2,000 passengers a week. Hyndburn’s voice must be heard in Westminster and I am grateful to Jim and Tan for giving their time and support to Rishton councillors and residents. Two high profile parliamentarians who know how important places like Rishton are across the north if Britain is to succeed. I will be writing to the rail authorities and the government minister to press the case for better services at Rishton and across Hyndburn.”
