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Shut station and we lose our livelihoods
TRADERS say closing Blackpool South station could sound the death knell for local businesses.
Blackpool Council is considering moving the platform several hundred yards down the line to Lytham Road as part of the authority's masterplan for the area.
Local businesses have now joined forces with rail enthusiasts to voice their anger over the proposals to close down the station and move it closer to major tourist attractions.
Politicians too say the council should be attracting more visitors into that area of town, rather than driving them into the town centre and away from grass root businesses.
The chairman of the South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership said the council will have a fight on their hands if they go ahead with their controversial plans.
Richard Fulford-Brown told The Gazette: "I can assure people the Blackpool South station will not be closed or moved down the line. We were formed over a year ago and definitely not in the business of closing down important stations.
"In fact, we would like to open two more stations along the South Fylde line which is proving very successful for passengers from across the coast and beyond.
"We welcome the support from the Blackpool and Fylde Rail Users Association and the council can be sure these proposals will not succeed."
A report published by the council says closing the station could create development opportunities for better housing and employment.
Today, local traders said closing the station would be another nail in the coffin for businesses trading in South Shore.
Darren Thickett, whose Dolls House Are Us shop is the first stop for shoppers coming off the line on Waterloo Road, said: "This will obliterate trade in South Shore.
"A lot of my customers use the South Fylde line and getting rid of it would sound the death knell for a number of local businesses."
Mark Yates, owner of Brooks Collectables on Waterloo Road, said: "Removing the station will do a lot of damage to local businesses who are already struggling with the recession.
"While many people are doing their best to make their businesses look good it seems the council are trying to take trade away from them."
Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said: "We should be working to get more visitors into the South Shore area.
"Blackpool South station needs to be marketed more rather than taken away from users."
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
