East Lancashire Railway and Castleton master plan moving forward

Progress is being made to implement regeneration proposals set out within the Heywood and Castleton master plan.

As well as making changes to the station, the master plan includes the extension of the railway from Heywood to Castleton.

Plans for the station include a buffet cart – which should be completed by the end of the year and a play area for children.

The buffet cart could also provide an educational element for schools and would include train artefacts and train memorabilia.

Brian Davies from the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) Trust said: “We want the railway and we want the regeneration that comes with it. We are beginning to see things happen and I am asking for the continued support of the township for this venture because I know it is going to be a success.”

It is also hoped that the extension of the railway would bring more visitors to Heywood.

In 2009, the East Lancashire Railway in conjunction with three local authorities through which the line runs commissioned the ELR 2020 development strategy. The strategy included how the number of visitors to the station could be doubled from 107,000 in 2007 to 200,000 in 2020 if the developments are made.

“By extending the railway it would give the station that commuter element so people could get off at Heywood and have a look around and then they could also go to Castleton if they wanted to,” said Brian.