Colne Valley rail campaigners have all got on board with the creation of a new, bumper transport group.

Members of Friends of Slaithwaite Station, Golcar Longwood and Milnsbridge Transport Campaign and Off the Rails have joined forces under the new banner Colne Valley Connections, to help speed ahead with their drive to create better public transport for residents in the area.

And now they want other community groups and more people to join them so they can put more pressure on authorities to act.

The group first came together to put forward their response to the new Northern and Trans-Pennine franchise bids that are currently under decision.

They would like to see a raft of priorities put in place by whoever is given the green light to run services, which includes the creation of a new station at Milnsbridge, better rolling stock, more frequent trains and full disabled access for Marsden station.

Rail expert and Golcar resident, Paul Salveson, who is involved in the new umbrella group, said: “This gives all local rail campaigners an opportunitiy to be more effective in campaigns as we will be able to pool our knowledge and resources.

“As electrification is planned to be rolled out along this line over the next few years it is important that our community has a united voice to get our points of view across to those in charge of the projects.

“We want improved services, including a new station for Milnsbridge, better quality trains and more frequent services .

“We’re also keen to get full disabled access at Marsden Station and would like to see shops and booking offices introduced onto station platforms in the area.

“These are in place on the Lancashire side of the line so there is no reason why we should not be able to have the same for west Yorkshire residents.”

The group will shortly be setting up a Facebook page and any community group or individual who is interested in getting involved and expressing their views should email paul at paul.salveson@btinternet.com