PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has called on Lancashire County Council to safeguard the track bed of the old Colne to Skipton railway which closed in the mid 70s.

He said the Joint Lancashire Structure Plan, which sets out planning policies for the next decade, misses a golden opportunity by failing to protect the track.

Instead they are continuing to press for a new A56 bypass along the old track bed.

Mr Prentice said: "I have big reservations about the bypass which will carve its way through a beautiful and relatively tranquil valley. It will not be a local road for local people -- which is what many people in Kelbrook, Sough and Earby want. It will be a major strategic route.

"But if despite this the bypass goes ahead at some point in the future, then provision should be made to run a railway alongside."

Last February, the MP was told by Transport Minister John Spellar that the cash could be available to investigate the feasibility of re-opening the old Colne to Skipton railway.

The MP quizzed Mr Spellar after speaking to a packed public meeting in Colne where calls were made for the line to be re-opened.

He intends to speak again to SELRAP (Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership) at a meeting in December.