Great news for leisure but what about a rail link.

Posted By: Jason Michael Gledhill
Date Posted: 27/08/2009

It is great to hear that the Council will be receiving over £660,000 from a VAT rebate.

This money was wrongly claimed by the VAT office in the 80's and 90's and it's right that it comes back to support the outcome of the current leisure review.

The review is all about improving our leisure facilities and services and this money is more than welcome.

On another note I was pleased to see that the Government have approved investment of several billion pounds into a high speed rail link between London and Manchester. This will mean a journey time of about 1hr 6mins.

Contrast this with the Governments deafening silence over supporting the reintroduction of a commuter link between Rawtenstall and Manchester. A link that will cost a fraction of the amount, estimated at £30M, and is easy to deliver.

Ironicly this currently means you will be able to travel faster from London to Manchester than from Rossendale to Manchester by any normal mode of transport in rush hour!

I think this demonstrates the current Governments lack of commitment to supporting towns outside of major cities.