Proposals to reconnect Southport, Preston and Ormskirk via rail could be “a strong candidate for future development” according to the Government’s Minister of State For Rail.
Minister Huw Merriman also suggested that Lancashire County County should resubmit its Business Case for the scheme, which was surprisingly not taken forward by the Department for Transport when it was put forward earlier this year.
Connecting Southport by rail to Preston would open up the area to train passengers from Lancashire, the Lake District, Scotland and beyond, and would give a huge financial boost to the town. Linking with Ormskirk would create better opportunities between the resort and Edge Hill University as well as additional visitors from Lancashire.
It would require the reinstatement of the Burscough Curves, a relatively cheap scheme in rail terms which would have a huge impact on a large geographical region.
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.
A Business Case for the restoration of the line was compiled earlier this year by a cross-party group of MPs including Damien Moore (Southport) Rose Cooper (West Lancashire), Sir Mark Hendrick (Preston) and Katherine Fletcher (South Ribble).
It was also supported by the Ormskirk Preston and Southport Passengers Association (OPSTA), Lancashire County Council, Southport BID, Southport College, local businesses and residents and others.
Southport MP Damien Moore has now tabled a Parliamentary Question, asking the Secretary of Transport “what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of restoring the Burscough Curves”.
Minister of State For Rail Huw Merriman replied: “The proposed Burscough Curves project was assessed as part of the Restoring Your Railway programme after a bid was made under the third round of the programme’s Ideas Fund.
“The assessment concluded that the project was not appropriate for funding through the Restoring Your Railway programme, however may be a strong candidate for future development.
“The feedback recommended that the Promoter, Lancashire County Council, re-submit a proposal through the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP) process.”
Restoring the rail connections would be important for Southport’s future prosperity at a time when millions of pounds in public and private investment is pouring into the town.
Work on the £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre and Light Show on the Marine Lake is due to begin next year, while further development work is taking place at venues including Southport Pleasureland, the former Garrick Theatre on Lord Street, The Grand on Lord Street and the former BHS department store on Chapel Street.
The Cove Resort is due to bring a £75 million leisure beach, hotel and thermal spa to Princes Park in Southport.
The huge investment is all designed to attract millions of new visitors to Southport and better transport links are much needed.
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