Knowles backs bid to reopen rail station

A PETITION calling for Diggle Railway Station to be reopened has attracted more than 200 signatures in less than two weeks.

The list has been presented to Transport for Greater Manchester and Network Rail in an attempt to see services restored to the village station.

Councillor Richard Knowles, in his role as opposition leader at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “It is really important that Network Rail’s Northern Hub rail investment plan to increase capacity on the railway lines from Leeds, Sheffield and Liverpool into Manchester includes the case for reopening Diggle Station and the two disused Stanedge railway tunnels.”

The station was closed in the 1960s in the widespread Beeching clearout of unwanted stations.

It is believed reopening Diggle could also lead to a tourism boost for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Pennine Way, South Pennines and Peak District National Park.