Poulton to Fleetwood reopening ?

[furnessvale]

You'd have to bridge over Amounderness Way or go under it because a level crossing on that road would be a nightmare, I think it would likely cost as much to convert the line to tram as it would to reopen the line to heavy rail traffic.

Amounderness Way already has a number of roundabouts and flat junctions on it. I cannot believe that the addition of a flat traffic light controlled junction to permit the crossing of, say, a tram every 10 minutes, would be a major imposition.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

if there was sufficient traffic between Fleetwood and Poulton even to connect with trains there why isn't there a variant on the 14 bus to take it through Poulton on a direct route ? The 24 and 75 seem to take long circuitous routes between the two (making it quicker to catch a 14 and walk). There doesn't seem demand for a decent rapid through bus service so what evidence is there a rail service would generate more traffic ?

The only real justification for a re-opening would be if there wasn't a tram and even then it would be relatively low down the scale.

 

[Codville]

Amounderness Way already has a number of roundabouts and flat junctions on it. I cannot believe that the addition of a flat traffic light controlled junction to permit the crossing of, say, a tram every 10 minutes, would be a major imposition.

Traffic at rush hour can get quite bad on Amounderness Way, I'm just thinking about the local hullabaloo of recent times when they installed the pelican crossing by the Eros roundabout.

 

[seasidersfan]

Traffic at rush hour can get quite bad on Amounderness Way, I'm just thinking about the local hullabaloo of recent times when they installed the pelican crossing by the Eros roundabout.

True but the Fleetwood part is seldom a bottleneck. It's the part further on that can be a big problem around Poulton. Indeed I believe they are building a bypass around that area.

 

[snowball]

True but the Fleetwood part is seldom a bottleneck. It's the part further on that can be a big problem around Poulton. Indeed I believe they are building a bypass around that area.

You may mean the proposed Windy Harbour to Skippool bypass.

http://roads.highways.gov.uk/projects/a585-windy-harbour-to-skippool/

 

[swanhill41]

£100 million for a third of the job...Needs a new road in effect from River Wyre pub through to M55 at Kirkham,not a stupid part job and a better line for the road....Oh but do we know we locals,just tolerating some pxxx in offices elsewhere...Just my humble feelings.

 

[swanhill41]

I saw today at Thornton station ,3 Network Rail vans parked upon the platform next to the pub next door.....Might that indicate that NR has taken back the line from the PWSR?

 

[Arvin999]

Hi Guys I live in this area and I support the idea of it reopening.I think there should be an up to date feasibility study to see what use there is for the line;theres the possibility of Fleetwood docks regeneration that would add weight to it reopening.https://www.wyredock.com/single-post/2018/01/17/News-Update-we-12th-January. I have seen many views about costs etc but no evidence;so far 3 reports support its reopening,ATOC,Halcrow and LCC.Another report would clarify things and also address the possibility and viability of it using trams given whats happening.

 

[bluenoxid]

Reopening as what though?

There are two petitions open at the moment that are helping make this discussion.

Tramway

https://www.change.org/p/commission-a-study-for-trams-on-the-fleetwood-rail-line

Railway

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/207834

 

[Arvin999]

Hi,Exactly some people want a railway,some want it for trams,could a light rail combine the two? Either way we need a new transport link in the area and this is desperately needed.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Or as a guided busway using 442's
On a serious note, heavy rail would be better than tram. I would demolish Asda, move it to the ABP site (like they wanted to do) and build the station and shops or flats on the remaining land left of the Asda. The trawler memorial could be moved to the station entrance. Keep every parking space possible of course. It could also be used as a park & ride for the Tramway as Fisherman's Walk stop is a quick walk away.

 

[Chester1]

Or as a guided busway using 442's
On a serious note, heavy rail would be better than tram. I would demolish Asda, move it to the ABP site (like they wanted to do) and build the station and shops or flats on the remaining land left of the Asda. The trawler memorial could be moved to the station entrance. Keep every parking space possible of course. It could also be used as a park & ride for the Tramway as Fisherman's Walk stop is a quick walk away.

Heavy rail will not happen because it would require NR spending and probably an opperating subsidy too. Partial reopening as part of Blackpool's system could be done through local funding although its more difficult as its not in Blackpool borough. Central government would be very happy with handing over half or all the Blackpool South Line to light rail and have just removed of the connection at Poulton. It will be light rail or nothing, probably nothing.

 

[seasidersfan]

Lancashire County Council have recently responded to the Transport for the North consultation, and the following can be found on page 4 of the attached document.

"Despite the ongoing investment in the modernisation and electrification of the railway line between Preston and Blackpool, the wider rail network serving the Fylde Coast and Morecambe/Heysham will remain an underutilised asset without further investment in infrastructure and services. There may be opportunities for integration with the Blackpool Tramway, for example, in the South Fylde and the Fleetwood area, complementing committed investment through the Lancashire Growth Deal that will deliver an extension of the tramway from the Promenade to Blackpool North station by mid 2019. Seamless interchange between the rail network and tram system will be achieved for the first time to the benefit of both residents and visitors." Source: http://council.lancashire.gov.uk/documents/s131150/Appendix A.pdf

It seems like tram will be invested in if anything, as they mention both the Fleetwood and South Fylde lines without referring to additional heavy rail investment.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Lancashire County Council with the Blackpool Tramway, for example, in the South Fylde and the Fleetwood area, complementing committed investment through the Lancashire Growth Deal that will deliver an extension of the tramway from the Promenade to Blackpool North station by mid 2019. Seamless interchange between the rail network and tram system will be achieved for the first time to the benefit of both residents and visitors." Source: http://council.lancashire.gov.uk/documents/s131150/Appendix A.pdf

It seems like tram will be invested in if anything, as they mention both the Fleetwood and South Fylde lines without referring to additional heavy rail investment.

Since 1964, when Central Station closed, thanks to Blackpool Council, not Beeching, who suggested Central should be a transport hub.

 

[seasidersfan]

Since 1964, when Central Station closed, thanks to Blackpool Council, not Beeching, who suggested Central should be a transport hub.

That is true. But we can't undo that mistake and to be fair that was over half a century ago. At least the Fylde Coast is finally seeing rail (heavy and light) investment again.