The Clitheroe to Rawtenstall Coach

This interesting quote is from ‘Clitheroe in the Old Coaching Days’ by Stephen Clarke, published by Parkinson & Blacow, Printer, Clitheroe ND.

The Blackburn to Clitheroe railway line which connected to Manchester was not opened until June 1850.  For many years previously, a stagecoach ran from Clitheroe to Hanging Ditch in Manchester which would have been a slow, uncomfortable and hazardous journey.

‘After the opening of the railway, the Manchester coach was bought by the railway company*; a purchase was made of sixteen horses, and the coach ran between Clitheroe and Rawtenstall Station (which was then a railway terminous).  Later, the railway line was extended to Accrington, and by and by brought on to Blackburn.  Ultimately, on completion of the line, the East Lancashire and the Lancashire and Yorkshire amalgamated, and the glory of Clitheroe’s coaching days was o’er.’

*East Lancashire Railway to Rawtenstall