Issue details

Skelmersdale Rail Link - Strategic Outline Business Case

In March 2017, having assessed the technical feasibility of constructing a rail link between the Wigan to Kirkby line and Skelmersdale, Network Rail was commissioned to undertake Governance for Railway Investment Projects Stage 2 (GRIP2) refresh and GRIP3A feasibility study by Lancashire County Council and Merseytravel.

 

To enable a better understanding of overall project cost Network Rail, as part of GRIP 3A process, are to provide an Anticipated Financial Cost Estimate. There is also a requirement to undertake some further high level highways design and impact assessment work to compliment the rail study.

 

The next stage of the project development would be to complete a strategic outline business case to Department for Transport requirements and submit to Transport for the North for consideration in future statutory advice to the Secretary of State with regard to the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline. 

 

The strategic outline business case will confirm whether or not the project is affordable, including consideration of whole-life cost issues, whether it can be delivered in a reasonable timescale, whether it will provide value for money and, on this basis, whether to proceed to detailed design and implementation.

 

Decision type: Non-key

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: Skelmersdale Central; Skelmersdale East; Skelmersdale West;

Notice of proposed decision first published: 16/05/2019

Anticipated restriction: Part I  -

Decision due: 16 May 2019 by Cabinet

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Contact: Andrew Varley Email: andrew.varley@lancashire.gov.uk Tel: 01772 533336.

Decisions

Agenda items