Lorraine Beavers has called for the proposed reopening of the Poulton–Fleetwood railway to be included in Lancashire’s regional plans after holding a stakeholder meeting on 8 October.
The Labour MP reported the meeting in a public statement on 9 October. It took place at the North Euston Hotel in Fleetwood, with representatives from the railway, education and business sectors.
Beavers said there was broad support among those attending for restoring the connection. She is seeking its inclusion in plans that the Lancashire County Combined Authority would put to national government.
Participants included representatives of Campaign for Better Transport, Northern Trains, Blackpool and The Fylde College and Fylde Coast Energy.
Campaign for Better Transport said reopening could improve access to employment, education and healthcare, including connections serving the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone and Fleetwood’s port.
The meeting was a step in the campaign rather than approval for a railway. Beavers’s statement did not announce secured funding, a construction timetable or a confirmed start date for passenger services.
Her intervention places the proposed link before regional decision-makers as campaigners seek a route towards a funded reopening scheme.
