Formal bid is submitted to restore lines
LONG-RUNNING plans to reinstate the Burscough Curves rail line took a major step forward when a formal application was submitted to the Government.
Backed by four MPs and Lancashire County Council, rail campaign group Ormskirk, Preston and Southport Travellers’ Association (OPSTA) lodged plans which would see a direct rail link between Southport and Preston for the first time in 50 years.
The scheme would see the restoration of the historic curves, which were closed following the Beeching cuts in the 1960s relaying two miles of track to reinstate a two-way junction to allow the connections to reopen.
New services would use existing railway stations and add to the separate case for a reopened station at Midge Hall in Leyland, which closed to passengers in 1961.
Described as ‘high value, low cost’, those behind the plan say the project could be delivered within two years at a cost of up to £35 million.
A comprehensive document Restoring Your Railway: Ideas Fund Application for the Burscough Curves - outlines substantial economic and social reasons behind connecting communities across Lancashire and Merseyside, which would directly impact around 300,000 residents and thousands of local businesses.
OPSTA’s proposal would see direct rail connections between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk finally become reality, with two new routes created with an hourly service between Preston and Southport.
It would also create an extension of the existing Merseyrail Liverpool to Ormskirk service with a half hourly service on to Southport.
The project aims to reconnect North West towns and cities including Southport, Preston and Ormskirk which were controversially lost due to the infamous Beeching cuts of the 1960s.
The proposals have strong cross-party support with backing from Southport Conservative MP Damien Moore, West Lancashire Labour MP Rosie Cooper, South Ribble Conservative MP Katherine Fletcher, Preston Labour CoOperative MP Sir Mark Hendrick, Lancashire County Council leader Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning Cllr Michael Green, local business leaders and many others.
The constituencies of Southport, West Lancashire and South Ribble are located between the city regions of Preston, Liverpool and Greater Manchester but the campaigners argue that access and connectivity is a postcode lottery with limited public transport options and arterial roads restricting where people can get to in a reasonable time, especially those without a car.
Rail services and this scheme are central to regional economic development and growth in the post Covid-19 pandemic recovery plans as well as to being essential to achieving zero carbon.
On March 3, Southport and Leyland were awarded substantial Government funding to drive forward ambitious Town Deal schemes, but investment plans for both areas cite connectivity as their biggest constraint.
OPSTA spokesperson Alan Fantom said: “OPSTA was very pleased to write the application for funding from the Department for Transport for preparation of a business case for the Burscough Curves on behalf of the four sponsoring MPs and with the full backing of Lancashire County Council including their commitment to match DfT funding.
“OPSTA is known for its longheld aspiration to see the Burscough
Curves reopened which for those who may not know means there would be a direct rail service to both Preston and Ormskirk and Aughton, Maghull, Aintree.
“In preparing this bid it became even clearer just how beneficial it will be, its importance to Southport and Leyland and their planned investment through their Town Deals, and how easy it should be to deliver.”
Lancashire County Council has pledged to match-fund any cash provided by the government to assess the business case for the reinstatement.
Southport MP Mr Moore previously worked with OPSTA on efforts to reinstate links between Southport and Manchester and has long spoken about the importance of improving transport links to and from the town.
He said: “Restoring the Burscough Curves has the capacity to open-up the northern rail network to many people in Southport and West Lancashire who are restricted by poor transportation links.
“By connecting Southport to Preston – via Ormskirk and Leyland – by a direct rail service, we can create greater opportunities for our local economies and encourage more direct investment, whilst enabling people more opportunities for leisure and commuting.
“In submitting our proposals to government under the Restoring Your Railway Fund, the return of the Burscough Curves has taken a big step closer to becoming a reality.
“I am grateful to those MPs who have lent their support to our proposals to reopen this vital service, and to Lancashire County Council and OPSTA who have produced the submission.”
Transport links in West Lancashire are similarly cited as needing major improvements, with many people isolated due to the poor infrastructure available. The proposals aim to not only give more options for those in the town, but also speed up journeys and boost tourism and job opportunities.
MP Rosie Cooper added: “The reinstatement of the Burscough Curves would be a major improvement for rail travel in West Lancashire.
“Not only does this give Ormskirk a direct line to Southport, but it provides a much-needed increase in rail links for the rural communities in my constituency. Re-opening these lines will give people in the area so many more options for both leisure and commuting.
“Connecting the Preston to Ormskirk line back to the Merseyrail network at Ormskirk will increase the attractiveness of rail for commuters into Liverpool, reducing the need to travel on the heavily congested A59.”