The reinstated chord will allow direct services between Burnley and Manchester via Rochdale, helping to generate economic growth in the area. Burnley Manchester Road station will also be rebuilt - it was closed in 1961 and subsequently reopened in 1986. The reinstatement of the single track chord and the redevelopment of the Weavers Triangle area of Burnley is funded by £8.8m from the Regional Growth Fund.
However the first regular service trains are not expected until the December 2014 timetable change, when the start of the cascade of class 319s from Thameslink services to Northern for services on the newly-electrified Northern Triangle will release one diesel unit for the new Burnley - Manchester service.
Railfuture campaigns for new and reinstated chords which enable services which provide new journey opportunities and so increase the market share for rail transport.
Todmorden Curve & Manchester Rd Station development
Todmorden first
Author: Chris Page - Published Tue 10 of Jun, 2014 09:15 BST - (7132 Reads)
The first passenger carrying train to use the reinstated Todmorden curve was a rail tour called the 'Topper Chopper', run by Pathfinder Tours, on 31 May 2014. Photograph by David Evans.