26.02.19
Councillors push for three railway hubs to reopen in expansion of Lancashire rail network
A cross-party call has been issued in Lancashire for major railway hubs in Chorley, Fleetwood, and Leyland to be reopened.
The Lancashire County Council Labour Group had a motion to commission feasibility studies into the reopening of three train stations denied earlier this month, but the motion has now moved forward in order to “benefit thousands of residents.”
In a demand for an expansion of the railway network in Lancashire, councillors have called for Coppull railway station, Midge Hall in Leyland, and Fleetwood to be reopened.
Cllr Kim Snape, who tabled the defeated amendment, stated: “This is important for the people’s future, economically and environmentally, which all makes sense.
“Despite the fact that the Conservatives voted this down I got the feeling that everyone in the chamber supported the development of Midge Hall Station, Back on Track in Fleetwood, and Coppull Station.
“These projects take years to develop and politicians will come and go, but our communities we serve are here to stay.”
A feasibility study into Midge Hall has already been commissioned, and a cost analysis for one at Fleetwood is to be undertaken
Cllr Snape added: “At next week’s full council meeting I will be asking the cabinet member for highways and transport to work with us to develop the Midge Hall Train Station and begin cross party work to enable Lancashire to become a council that delivers for the people we all serve.
“This will hopefully be the start of a cooperation that will build on our agreements and not divide us over the differences.”
Conservative councillors also backed the move forward and supported plans to reopen the stations, with councillor Michael Green stating that he has campaigning for 16 years.
Leader of the county council, Geoff Driver, also supported the plans, but said it was “a great pity that some county councillors seem more intent on promoting their own interests rather than those of the residents,” stating that Snape was claiming credit for something long underway.
Lancashire County Council said: “A study is currently being carried out to explore the feasibility of reopening Midge Hall Railway Station and we will consider the next steps once we receive the report in a few weeks’ time.”
Image credit - Nigel Thompson