Putting town on the political agenda

BUSINESS leaders, schools and education providers came together for a meeting which covered how many visitors Accrington attracts and how the council can help support businesses and attract new investment.

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Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith attended the event last Friday at Oswaldtwistle Mills where she pledged the planned freight rail terminal in Huncoat is at the very top of her agenda with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who announced a £15bn investment in transport projects.

Progress has been made with discussions at the top levels, including meeting Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, who is looking for a solution to ease the rail overcrowding in Manchester city centre.

Mrs Smith said: “I put it on the agenda with Rachel Reeves because she's got 150 infrastructure projects to sign off in this parliament, and I’m determined that this will be one of them.”