Call for new rail stations and electric trains to support Morecambe

Lancaster City Council is the "accountable body" for the Eden Project on a working group

New railway stations and trains are needed for Morecambe Bay attractions like the Eden Project, councillors say.

A motion signed by 15 councillors representing 37,000 residents has been supported at a full Lancaster City Council meeting.

Councillors emphasised a need to boost transport for residents and visitors to the area.

Their call followed the government's cancellation of HS2 high-speed rail to the north.

In turn, the government unveiled a £494m pot for Lancashire through the Local Transport Fund, with government minister Esther McVey MP visiting Morecambe last month to highlight it.

In Lancashire transport planning is mainly a county council role.

However, Lancaster City Council is the "accountable body" for the Eden Project on a working group.

The city council motion stated: "Substantial community benefits can be achieved by new stations or halts in Heysham, between Oxcliffe Road and Mossgate Park, in Westgate near the Morecambe football stadium and in Poulton at York Bridge.

"Visitors to Morecambe could be served by a station with a park-and ride car park on land owned by the city and county councils at the Bay Gateway near Trumacar roundabout.

"New stations should be built whilst other improvements including electrification are being implemented to benefit Eden visitors."

It recommended the city council adopted these as preferred options and to lobby organisations "at every opportunity" for a solution to benefit all.

New railway stations and trains are needed for Morecambe Bay attractions, councillors say

Labour councillor Catherine Potter said: "The only concerns are about transport.

"There was formerly a station at York Bridge and the current rail line goes right to the port of Heysham. Let's get some stations along the line so people can get on trains. They don't need to be large stations."

Independent councillor Roger Sleet said: "There is the possibility to open a new station near the Heysham Gateway site.

"We were shown around there on a visit. The council owns some land. There are some tanks underground. That site could be perfect for a new station with car parking.

"Battery powered trains are the answer using charging points. A seven minute charge is enough for a train to travel 60 miles."

Labour councillor Matthew Black said: "A station in my Westgate ward would beneficial for residents and football supporters. The stadium holds 6,000 people.

"Councillors get regular complaints about car parking on match-days. There are cars everywhere. You'd not be able to get fire engines and ambulances up some streets."

Green councillor Gina Dowding said: "We need to be ambitious and there is definitely scope for Heysham line improvements. But this will need serious lobbying.

She added: "The government's £494 million transport fund has been celebrated. But there's no guarantee it'll be used for rail. It's very likely to go on potholes."