This would be a great way of improving transport links in rural Fylde without having to expand the existing transport infrastructure or add any more vehicles or train carriages. This change would be beneficial for the village economically and environmentally because it would increase visitor numbers to the village, reduce the strain on local roads during rush hour and would benefit non-drivers and people who want to travel safely and cheaply at night but are above the drink drive limit.
This ePetition ran from 14/11/2017 to 26/12/2017 and has now finished.
91 people signed this ePetition.
The County Council is aware of the interest in the local community for the re-opening of the station. However, before a scheme can be progressed a number of factors need to be considered which are summarised below:
a. Evidence of need – an assessment of the potential
patronage and revenue the station would generate. Is it abstracting
revenue from other stations eg Kirkham and Wesham?
b. Is it the best solution – are there other options to
enhance transport options to/from the village.
c. An estimate of costs – Network Rail would need to do an
elementary GRIP (Guide to Rail Investment Projects) exercise to
determine the best location for the station and provide a high
level cost estimate. It cannot be assumed that the former location
would comply with today's standards.
d. As part of c. Network Rail would also need to assess what if any
impact the new station would have on the line's timetable.
e. Does the station have the support of the train operator or
Network Rail. In the former case it will be necessary to secure the
support of the train operator, Northern, as it is their service
that would call at the station.
f. Funding – if the project is to be progressed who would be
the potential funders? At the time of writing the County Council
has committed substantial funds to look at the potential for new
stations at Skelmersdale and Cottam Parkway and is assessing the
potential for a new station at Midge Hall linked to substantial
housing developments.
The above sets out the process that would need to be followed to establish the implications if a station was to be provided to serve Wrea Green.
The County Council's 'Fylde Coast Highways and Transportation
Masterplan', July 2015 identified the need to improve the frequency
of the South Fylde Line as the most pressing issue to be addressed
in order to overcome the low service frequency and also to replace
the very poor quality rolling stock used on the line. As these
developments are progressed the opportunity to look at additional
stations on the line will be considered