ELR could be used as Bury-Manchester commuter route
4:42pm Monday 30th June 2008 in News By Joanne Rowe
BURY councillors are considering proposals to get commuters to use the East Lancashire Railway to travel to work.
A feasibility study has been carried out for the plan, which would see workers able to travel to work in Manchester from Rawtenstall using the tourist attraction rail line.
A £17 million slice of the Transport Innovation Fund would be used to run diesel electric trains at peak weekday commuting times.
Travellers would be given two alternative routes, one taking the train into Bolton Street station in Bury and then transferring to the Metrolink and the second towards Rochdale where the line would be remodelled at Castleton Junction to take commuters onto Manchester.
Transport consultants Faber Maunsell reckon the proposals, which would cost £15 million to implement, with £2.5 million running costs, would take a considerable quantity of traffic off the M66.
The scheme is due to be considered by Bury Council's Executive on July 9.
Council leader Bob Bibby said: "If this project goes ahead Bury's roads will be less congested on radial routes. I will continue to press the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority until this dream becomes a reality."
