WITH reference to the future strategic rail route between Skipton and Colne, which would affect the Airedale line.

Thinking about cheaper alternatives to the millions of pounds it would cost for SELRAP’s excellent idea, would it be more commonsensical to further electrify the line to Hellifield and then on to a Lancashire town which connects electrically with Manchester?

Obviously, engineering works would have to be instigated at Hellifield to negate reversing etc. Run trains through the day, ie peak times, to start with.

Also, heavy freight trains from Liverpool etc could use this twin line too with not much disruption to passenger services.

To my mind, this proposal, whilst it might look like a sticking plaster type solution to some people, would be a cheaper and more sensible way to solve this transport problem now.

The infrastructure is already there and under-used.

The Northern Powerhouse as trumpeted by one George Osborne has yet to happen.

SELRAP to my mind is doing an excellent job and I wish them well in the future, but one has to think “how long is a piece of string?”

Whilst this idea might look like nipping the problem in the bud, the benefits would be long term.

JOHN ACKROYD Haworth