CAMPAIGNERS for the re-opening of the Skipton to Colne railway line have welcomed news that Pendle's Liberal Democrats are backing the idea.

The Liberal Democrats laid down a motion supporting the move at Pendle's full council meeting yesterday (Thursday).

But Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said it reversed their long-standing policy to campaign against the railway re-opening.

The motion, which was moved by Coun David Whipp, states that the "council believes that the maintenance and improvement of the rail services must be an integral part of a sustainable economic and social future in Pendle including...the reinstatement of the Colne to Skipton line as part of improved links between Lancashire and Leeds."

The news was welcomed by Mr Prentice, who tabled a motion in the House of Commons last Wednesday recognising the Liberals' policy on railways.

The MP said: "I am delighted the Lib-Dems have changed their position with this spectacular u-turn. They have spent years and bucket loads of vitriol ridiculing and scoffing those working to bring back the railway. And now the Lib-Dems are, belatedly, coming on board. I welcome their change of heart."

The motion laid down on Thursday called for the inauguration of through services to Manchester as one measure to save the borough's rail link from closure. It also called for the re-opening of the route to Skipton and providing new rolling stock.

Coun Whipp said: "We're determined to fight the present threat to Pendle's rail link and throw our weight behind a re-opened Colne/Skipton link to Leeds. The Labour Government's recent moves with the Railway Bill and the review of the Northern train franchise puts our route at real risk of closure.

"Liberal Democrats see our rail links as a key factor in the regeneration of Pendle and East Lancashire."

Coun Whipp added: "We were never opposed to the re-opening of the line, but it has not been one of the top priorities. I think keeping the existing line open as far as Colne is crucial - certainly if it was possible to open the route from Colne to Skipton. That would be the icing on the cake, but we are talking about retaining the bread and butter services we have got."

In the past, the Liberals have campaigned for an A56 bypass which would take traffic away from the villages between Colne and Skipton. The bypass would use the railway trackbed for much of its route.

Coun Whipp said: "Last year I said that both the prospect of a bypass and reopening the route was a pipe-dream. I still think it is a remote possibility. However, what happened is because we were campaigning for a road route, people were taking that as we were not in favour of the rail route."

He added that people had "mis-represented" the Liberal Democrat stance on the issue and insisted it was never a case of road versus rail.

The action group SELRAP - the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership - was formed four years ago to campaign for the reopening of the Skipton to Colne line, which was closed more than 30 years ago.

Following a feasibility study into reinstating the 11-and-a-half mile railway line, the group found the trackbed was in good condition and could be reinstated at a relatively low cost.

The trackbed itself has been protected from development after agreement with North Yorkshire and Lancashire county councils and district councils.

Chairman of SELRAP, David Magnall said: "We welcome their (the Lib-Dems) change of mind and the fact they are coming on board. Now we have got all supporters backing our aims."

Mr Magnall said the next step was to look at possible sources of funding at higher levels.