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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
In his letter Mr Merriman said: \u201cThe early work has indicated that a tram-train is likely to be the best performing option, helping to maximise connectivity along the Wyre peninsula.<\/p>\n
\u201cServices 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … Continue reading