Barbara Castle of Germany in 1990, for services to European democracy. In September 2008 Northern Rail, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and PTEG (Passenger transport executive Group) named a train after her. The plaque was unveiled by Barbara's niece, Sonya Hinton, and Ruth Kelly MP (then Secretary of State for Transport). A commemorative brochure of the event was produced by PTEG. Notes Footnotes Bibliography Barbara Castle Barbara Anne Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, PC, GCOT ("née" Betts; 6 October 1910 – 3 May 2002) was a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1945 to 1979,
Blackburn Bus Company service uses two tone purple liveried Wright Eclipse Geminis. From 3 April 2016 the X41 which links Blackburn, Accrington and Haslingden with Manchester was branded "Red Express" with specially branded blue and red ex Harrogate Bus Company Wright Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs formerly used on Harrogate bus route 36. The X40 from Whalley, via Great Harwood and Clayton-le-Moors, was withdrawn and no connecting services provided for any of the 25,000 residents of those towns and surrounding villages who wish to arrive in Manchester before 7am. Services now only operate between Blackburn, Accrington, Baxenden, Haslingden, Helmshore, Prestwich and Manchester Chorlton Street.