Progress on track for South Fylde rail service boost

Fylde MP Mark Menzies’ Restoring Your Railway bid to install a passing loop on the South Fylde Line and won Government backing last year.

Now, a workshop regarding the second stage of the bid has been held, along with a meeting with Network Rail to look at the proposals in more detail.

Mr Menzies said: “We want this work to progress quickly and the workshop gave us a great deal of help about what is expected of us.

“The meeting with Network Rail clarified the detail we need to provide for the next stage of the process and we already have a number of engineering firms registering an interest in progressing the scheme.

“The Government has been clear it wants to see quick progress on these plans and I am pleased to see Fylde Council, which is the lead authority on the project, moving the scheme forward.”

Mr Menzies lodged the bid for the South Fylde line, which runs through Kirkham, Lytham and St Annes to Blackpool South, along with with Blackpool South MP Scott Benton.

Both MPs want to see services increased to make the line viable for residents and visitors alike.

The next stage will see the creation of a full outline business case for the scheme, and the Department for Transport will fund 75 per cent of that plan, up to a cost of £50,000.

Mr Menzies added: “In the past couple of years we have seen some great improvements to our stations, most notably at Kirkham.

“But I have always campaigned for at least two trains per hour on this line and have lobbied ministers and met with Transport for the North to discuss the matter. I’m looking forward the next stage of the process progressing as we draw up more detailed plans to facilitate more trains on our line.”

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