This weekend is your LAST chance to tell regional transport leaders that we need better rail links here in Southport.
The ultimate aim is to restore direct transport links between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk, through the relatively straightforward and value for money process of reopening the Burscough Curves.
This is where ‘Levelling Up’ really would make a difference to the Liverpool City Region and Lancashire economies and populations.
These direct services were lost in the 1960s. But now, as Southport pursues an ambition of re-establishing itself as one of the UK’s leading resort destinations, better transport links – through public and sustainable travel – are absolutely vital.
The Grand has just opened on Lord Street following a £3million investment.
A planning application has been submitted for the new Marine Lake Events Centre and Light Fantastic, which is forecast to attract an extra 515,000 visitors every year.
Plans for the spectacular Southport Cove leisure beach, luxury hotel and thermal spa are progressing.
Exciting plans by Southport Pleasureland to attract hundreds of thousands of new visitors are underway, with a new Viking adventure golf course opening this summer, followed by more new attractions including a new dinosaur park, a 260-metre long roller coaster and more.
Southport already attracts 9million visitors to our town every year – these proposals, and others, will attract millions more.
As the world seeks ways of reducing its carbon footprint, it is nonsensical to demand that these millions of people all arrive by car, creating added pollution and clogging up the region’s already busy road network.
We need better rail links – and we need them NOW.
PLEASE submit your views to the Liverpool City Region (LCR) public consultation for transport, including rail, which closes this Sunday (31 July 2022).
Please ask for the immediate aim of the reinstatement of the SOUTHERN railway curve at Burscough, by emailing: email transportpolicy@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Simply outline how connecting Southport with Ormskirk, Aughton, Maghull, and Aintree, would be of benefit to you or your business.

The ultimate ambition is to reinstate BOTH the southern and northern curve (to Preston).
However for the purposes of this Liverpool City Region consultation the first priority is to secure the reintegration of the southern curve which interconnects all of Sefton.
This would also open up significant opportunities with Ormskirk and Aughton along the route.
Such transport connectivity would transform lives in terms of employment, education, pollution, community, and leisure.
Ultimately, it will also make Southport and Sefton a more sustainable place to live and visit.
Please email – transportpolicy@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
The Liverpool City Region Local Transport Plan (LTP) consultation runs until Sunday 31st July 2022. The draft first stage of the new LTP – a Vision and Goals document – can be viewed on the Combined Authority website.
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