Sponsored by
Protests over closure of train station
RAIL users have joined forces to derail plans which could lead to the closure of Blackpool South station.
Blackpool Council is considering moving the platform several hundred yards down the line to Lytham Road in a bid to promote local tourist attractions by setting up a new transport hub.
Another option could be to end the line at the Pleasure Beach.
This has angered members of the Blackpool and Fylde Rail Users' Association (BAFRUA), which is opposing the proposals raised in the council's South Beach regeneration action plan.
They say it could rip the heart out of South Shore and its tourist industry and shopping.
According to the plan, which is now the subject of public consultation: "The station is in a position which creates a strong physical barrier between it, its car park and Waterloo and Lytham Road.
"Closure of the station and removal of the railway lines would allow improved access to be created from Yeadon Way to the south."
This, the report says, could create "development opportunities" for better housing, year-round employment, better open spaces and recreation uses.
Although admitting the plan could have a "negative impact on the sustainability of South Beach" in terms of visitor numbers, if issues relating to general access, transport connections and safeguarding green spaces can be addressed the move could, the report states, have a "moderately positive impact on the area".
Fears the Blackpool South line could end at the Pleasure Beach – and not carry on towards Waterloo Road, Central Drive and Blackpool Football Club – has left rail users angry.
Rail users' chairman Paul Nettleton told The Gazette: "The proposals to end the line at the Pleasure Beach is far too out on a limb.
"Compared to Blackpool South, there are far fewer nearby bus routes, no shops, no taxis and fewer hotels within walking distance.
"There are other plans to squeeze it on the other side of Lytham Road bridge, putting a small halt into a little cutting on a very restricted site between there and the Pleasure Beach.
"Compared with the current position of Blackpool South, it would be a strategically useless location, away from the heart of the Waterloo Road district centre – defeating ReBlackpool's and the council's own plans to revitalise the area."
Glynn Hague, also on the BAFRUA committee, added: "This is a profitable line with thousands of users every week, anyone can see that apart from the council with its blinkered vision for its regeneration plans.
"To move the line further south would have a detrimental effect on the services provided. Also, a lot of football fans use the line to get to Bloomfield Road."
The line opened in 1863.
Although now just a single platform, a recent survey carried out by operators Northern Rail showed Blackpool South is the second busiest station on the South Fylde line behind St Annes, with more than 105,000 passengers a year.
ReBlackpool, which is in partnership with the council over plans for the South Beach Area said no decision had been made and the council would have the final say.
Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for tourism and regeneration at Blackpool Council, said: "The idea to move it to the Pleasure Beach is to help them with their business.
"I understand why the campaigners are angry about the plans but a decision has yet to be made on its location."
Doug Garrett, chief executive of ReBlackpool, added: "We feel there will be a better use for the station in moving it to Lytham Road as there will be better access but the final decision will rest with the council."
A spokesman for Northern Rail said: "The line is well used but we would have to have a better look at the proposals which are in place before we made a further comment."
The South Beach Area Action plan – first unveiled by the council in June – could see failing hotels and guesthouses demolished or converted into homes as part of the drive to reduce the amount of low quality holiday accommodation.
There are public exhibitions at Holy Trinity Church, Dean Street, this Thursday and Friday and at St Peter's Church, on Lytham Road, today and on October 1 and 2 or October 8 and 9.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 27 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South west
