 Construction began in 1847, and it was intended that it would be completed by 1 December the same year.The route required tunnels beyond Newchurch, and the expense of these meant that construction was curtailed, and the line was opened as far as "Newchurch", where a station was opened on 27 March 1848.Construction of the line onwards to Bacup resumed in 1851, and this was opened on 1 October 1852.