Could we be seeing a new tram-train service linking Preston and Fleetwood? That now seems the most likely way the long-closed railway line to Fleetwood could be reopened if a letter sent to local MP, Paul Maynard, by Transport Minister Huw Merriman is to believed. This not only opens up the tantalising prospect of a rail service between Poulton-le-Fylde and the outskirts of Fleetwood but then a connection to the current Blackpool Tramway to give access to Fleetwood Town Centre.
Passenger services last ran from Poulton-le-Fylde to Fleetwood in 1970 and although the line remained intact for freight services to Burn Naze it has been over 50 years since you can travel along the line with many proposals put forward over the years to reintroduce a service. This has included a preservation scheme but local politicians have been pushing for a full reopening to provide a public transport system.
Its probably been a bit of a political football in recent years with former Prime Minister pledging to reopen the line during campaigning for the 2019 general election. This saw the project gain impetus and in 2022 it was one of the projects which was allocated funding from the government’s Restoring Your Railway Fund. Since then things had gone quiet on the plans but Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, has now received this latest update for Huw Merriman.
In his letter Mr Merriman said: “The early work has indicated that a tram-train is likely to be the best performing option, helping to maximise connectivity along the Wyre peninsula.
“Services would operate twice hourly from Preston station to Poulton-le-Fylde over the existing heavy rail network, before joining a new light rail link between Poulton-le-Fylde and the Denham Way roundabout on Amounderness Way, calling at up to three new intermediate stops. From there, the services would continue on the existing Blackpool tram network towards Fleetwood town centre and Fleetwood ferry terminal.”
It is still likely to be many years before the project gets off the ground with numerous enquiries, discussions of full funding and other political shenanigans still to come but it does seem a least positive step forward and the first tram-trains in the area could come to fruition.
Yes it would be good if it did happen but a lot will depend on who wins the next General Election. Labour when last in power cancelled tram projects in Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol, so don’t hold your breath on this one if Starmer makes it into 10 Downing St.
Labour seem more keen on light rail these days to be fair.
See Leeds where they are pushing for a Tram System
Unless something a substantive update imminently in terms of business case / detailed analysis & actual mone ought to be filed under “pre-election magic rabbits”. Lets be honest the entire “Fylde Loop” featured heavily with Boris parading around Thornton promising rapid progress that only a conservative majority could deliver..
£100s of millions of pounds worth of shovel ready schemes with far better returns (indeed look how many existing tramways will need serious money in next few years as well just to manage what they have).
It’s very very easy to re-announce these things when your looking at current polling planning for political wipe out.. therefore planning for an extended period in opposition where you can then bemoan lack of progress.
I still question demand without an actual large Ferry in operation at Fleetwood.. Indeed if traffic was so high why does Thornton need a subsidy to even run a bus service.