The cynical answer is that its in a safe Labour seat and therefore its a low priority for either major party, Labour doesn't need to pork barrel (spending taxpayers money to gain votes) in order to win and it isn't worth the Conservatives trying. £250-300m is very rarely spent in the North, its a bit less than half the cost of Northern Hub for instance. I think its a good idea but a reduced plan B on the basis I suggested would be good as a backup. Electrifying and increasing capacity for Kirkby-Wigan would probably increase the business case for building a spur line.
It never should have been disconnected in the first place!
