Fylde coast railway station has no trains running through it but volunteers ensure it looks perfect

A recently-formed community group is aimed at sprucing up parts of Thornton - and one of its key projects is the town’s disused rail station.

With the neat picket fencing repainted in a heritage cream colour, large concrete planters re-painted and plans to repaint and repair the Ticket Office signs, the Love Thornton volunteers are playing a key role in restoring Thornton’s railway heritage.

The station opened at its present site off Station Road back in 1927. Next year marks the centenary of its launch, despite it no longer being in use.

It finally closed in June, 1970, when the Fleetwood line was closed to passengers. Freight continued on the line, to nearby Burn Naze until 1999.

The Love Thornton group’s work on the station has caused a stir on social media, with much support as well as speculation about what is going to be done with the railway line which feeds through the station.

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Lorraine Beavers harbours hopes that the railway link between Fleetwood and Poulton can be restored and is campaigning to get it reinstated.

In addition, the Poulton and Wyre Railway Society also continues to push that cause, whilst working to develop a Heritage Railway Centre with a museum, offices, workshops to display its collection of restored historical rolling stock, equipment and artefacts.

There has also been speculation on social media that the track may even end being used as a cycle way.

However, Love Thornton, formed back in August, is more concerned with the station itself, working tirelessly to ensure that it is immaculately tidy, kept free of weeds and maintained as a key part of the town.

Julie Richardson, one of Love Thornton’s founder members, said: “Our aim is to make sure Thornton looks at its best so it is just a lovely place in which to live.

“You see how nice some of the villages in Lancashire are kept and we wanted the same for Thornton.

“Our work is not involved in what happens to the rail link side, we just want to keep our historic station looking as good as it can.

“We’ve worked tirelessly to do it, removing weeds, cleaning things up and painting.”

The group’s ambitions include: Restoring the traditional heritage benches and litter bins; renovating and refreshing the Ticket Office door, sign and frame; repairing and improving the large wooden sleeper beds; introducing lighting along the platform to enhance its historic character; adding more hanging baskets, planters and seasonal planting displays

Julie added: “Next year, as part of our work in Thornton itself, we’ll be introducing hanging baskets to the areas where the shops are, and also doing some work around Stanah and Marsh Mill.”

Other activities in the town include litter-picking and weeding in key places.

The group has 20 volunteers, holds group meetings at the Ashton Club on Victoria Road East and committee meetings at people’s houses.

For further information, visit the Love Thornton Facebook page.