'Our community and businesses need a rail link back'

Fleetwood lost its main rail link in 1966 as part of the Beeching cuts

An MP has made a renewed call for the restoration of a Lancashire town's rail link.

Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, raised the question in the House of Commons, saying Fleetwood needed improved connectivity for health, wealth and educational equality, because the main road was frequently congested.

Fleetwood lost its main rail link in 1966, when the main station closed as part of the Beeching Cuts. A smaller branch line from the town continued to operate until 30 May 1970, when all passenger services were discontinued - but Fleetwood remains one of the country's largest towns to be without a rail link.

Beavers said: "Businesses want it and our community needs it too."

'Open up opportunities'

Beavers told the Commons: "The cul-de-sac of Thornton and Fleetwood in my constituency once had a railway line that served the community well.

"Now there is only one main route in and out by road. it is acknowledged that the lack of connectivity is a determinant of health, wealth and educational inequalities.

"Will the minister meet with me to talk about the reinstatement of the Fleetwood to Poulton railway link, to open up opportunities to the people in my community?"

The Labour MP later said that although the government was keen to tackle the nation's North/South divide, the local highways authority was Lancashire County Council, led by Reform UK, and it would need to put forward a business plan to help bring about the rail link's reinstatement.

She said support needed to come from County Hall, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A Lancashire County Council spokesperson said: "We worked very closely on the potential reinstatement of the Poulton to Fleetwood railway with the Department for Transport, as part of the former, national 'Restoring your Railway' programme which has now been cancelled by government.

"However, our new Local Transport Plan strategy is being developed by Lancashire Combined County Authority, and is currently open to consultation until November 30.

"This will be used to shape the final plan for our region's future transport priorities."