Fight for better train services to continue despite cuts

Campaigners say they have not given up hope of improving train services on the North West coast, despite the scrapping of government funding.

It comes after the Chancellor announced on Monday that the Restoring Your Railway Fund would be cancelled.

Rachel Reeves said cuts were needed to address a £21.9bn black hole in public finances.

Currently, only one train an hour can run between Blackpool South and Preston, because of a stretch of single-line track along the South Fylde route.

It also means that any blockages of that line result in cancellations and delays for passengers.

A bid was submitted to the previous government’s Restoring Your Railway Fund almost three years ago for the cash needed to create a so-called passing loop.

That would allow half-hourly services to be introduced at stations for Kirkham and Wesham, Moss Side, Lytham, Ansdell and Fairhaven, St. Annes-on-the-Sea and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Richard Watts, chair of the Community Rail Lancashire (CRL) group said the government's decision was "disappointing".

“We had two-and-a-half years of silence from the previous government, and I think we deserved better than that.

"But then the new government’s decision is disappointing as well,”

The Treasury has said individual Restoring Your Railway projects will be considered as possible standalone schemes through a review to be carried out by the transport secretary.

Nevertheless, Richard says the strength of the argument for upgrading the line is undeniable, and he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that CRL had no intention of “abandoning” the vision for the loop.

“I’ve been on the network today and the trains to Blackpool South are very busy, because it’s now peak holiday time and the Pleasure Beach is obviously a key attraction, so two-car trains every hour really don’t [cut] it.

“We need the enhanced frequency of service – and the case is self-evident when you travel along the line, so we need to find a way of pushing that point.

“We will await the next steps and take part in whatever review is undertaken, but in the meantime we’ll also look at how we might be able to progress the loop in other ways – and just keep the conversation going,” Richard added.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected]