Cash promised for pitch to restore Curves rail line link
A LONG-RUNNING campaign to reconnect the Southport to Manchester railway line with the track running between Preston and Ormskirk could be set for a funding boost.
The project to reinstate what are known as the Burscough Curves in West Lancashire is set to be the subject of a bid to the Government’s Restoring Your Railways Fund.
If successful, it will see the Department for Transport (DfT) provide up to 75 percent of the costs of a £50,000 study to create a business case that would make the argument for the 1.4-mile stretch of track to be brought back into use.
Lancashire County Council has now said that it will match-fund any cash provided by the Government for that assessment work.
Campaigners have long argued that the proposal would improve poor rail connectivity in West
Lancashire. The curves were discontinued for passenger service use in 1969/70.
Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning Michael Green said: “Momentum has been building for many years behind the case for reinstating the short section of rail track at Burscough to reconnect the Southport to Manchester line with the Preston to Ormskirk to Liverpool line.
“Our offer to top up or match DftT funding through the Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Fund could just be the key to finally unlock progress with this scheme by supporting an initial study to prove the business case.
“The benefits to the local economy and environment of reinstating the Burscough Curves appear very clear, due to the opportunity to significantly improve sustainable travel links and access to opportunities for communities where rail connections are currently limited. Funding an initial study is vital to gather the evidence and prove the case to further develop this scheme.”
Four of the area’s MPs are backing the bid to Whitehall.
The recovery and growth fund is a £12.8m pot established by the county council last year to help kickstart the local economy as it recovers from the pandemic.