To level-up Southport, we need to further strengthen transport infrastructure.

As a seaside town with a visitor economy, it is only by increasing our town's visitor capacity that we can truly unleash Southport's economic potential.

We have some fantastic new projects underway through the Town Deal, such as a state-of-the-art events centre, and so we now need to work non-stop to make it as easy as possible for people to get to them from the rest of the country.

That's why I launched the campaign for the re-instatement of the Burscough Curves, which will link Southport to both Preston and Ormskirk with direct rail links. I recently spoke at a conference about this work and, following on from the £37.5 million Town Deal, I am working intensively with Government to make this next project a reality.

I'm delighted by the progress we have made as a town since my election in 2017. There is still much work to do. Southport's best days are firmly ahead of us.

Originally Posted by editor

To level-up Southport, we need to further strengthen transport infrastructure.

Hard to argue with that. However, despite the town possessing many miles of roads for motor traffic and many miles of pavements for footgoers, we're still missing something: namely the equivalent in safe routes for bike users. Surprising then, that our MP keeps coming out against schemes to level things up!

That's why I launched the campaign for the re-instatement of the Burscough Curves, I'm delighted by the progress we have made as a town since my election in 2017. There is still much work to do. Southport's best days are firmly ahead of us.

Any support for the scheme is most welcome, but 'launched'? The reinstatement campaign has, as anyone interested will know, been going for many years, kept alive by amongst others OPSTA. The district's rail-user travellers association, which I myself joined back in the day, when it was then known as OPTA.

Not having much success with his efforts so far.

Talks the talk of a failing political party. If only we had a competent MP instead.

Originally Posted by editor

To level-up Southport, we need to further strengthen transport infrastructure.
As a seaside town with a visitor economy, it is only by increasing our town's visitor capacity that we can truly unleash Southport's economic potential.
We have some fantastic new projects underway through the Town Deal, such as a state-of-the-art events centre, and so we now need to work non-stop to make it as easy as possible for people to get to them from the rest of the country.
That's why I launched the campaign for the re-instatement of the Burscough Curves, which will link Southport to both Preston and Ormskirk with direct rail links. I recently spoke at a conference about this work and, following on from the £37.5 million Town Deal, I am working intensively with Government to make this next project a reality.
I'm delighted by the progress we have made as a town since my election in 2017. There is still much work to do. Southport's best days are firmly ahead of us.

Of course the Ormskirk, Preston & Southport Travellers’ Association and former Southport MP Mr. Pugh had sought reinstatement of the junction before Mr. Moore came to town. A competition for central government funding has disappointingly failed. I wonder why that might be?

• Might it be the case that the rail operating company of the Northern Rail franchise (or any other) do not see a profitable business case for passenger services between Preston and Southport?
• Does Network Rail doubt the capacity of the single track line and recognize upgrading the would cost more than can be justified?

Though restoring the junction, itself, seems straightforward enough, is it the case that a viable passenger rail connection between Preston and Southport would in fact require a far more extensive upgrade?

Our MP's enthusiasm for this cause is, perhaps, just so much pi$$ing into the wind.

Originally Posted by sandGroundZero

Though restoring the junction, itself, seems straightforward enough, is it the case that a viable passenger rail connection between Preston and Southport would in fact require a far more extensive upgrade?

The line between Ormskirk and Preston, should never have been reduced to singletrack. But on the upside, because it remained open (as a vestigial service), the dual trackbed itself is still there. Not lost forever by being sold off and built over, like our much-valued direct Southport to Preston route via Hesketh Bank regrettably was.

Re-dualling the Ormskirk-Preston line, would therefore be relatively cost-effective, compared to laying track from scratch. Were it to be properly reinstated as a dual line, not only would we have a very useful local rail layout, enabling a variety of new passenger route options. But also enabling L'pool Docks freight movements (e.g.containers) to/from the North, relieving pressure on the West Coast main line (already operating at full capacity) and taking HGV's off the congested road and Motorway network.

Originally Posted by The PNP

The line between Ormskirk and Preston, should never have been reduced to singletrack. But on the upside, because it remained open (as a vestigial service), the dual trackbed itself is still there. Not lost forever by being sold off and built over, like our much-valued direct Southport to Preston route via Hesketh Bank regrettably was.

Re-dualling the Ormskirk-Preston line, would therefore be relatively cost-effective, compared to laying track from scratch. Were it to be properly reinstated as a dual line, not only would we have a very useful local rail layout, enabling a variety of new passenger route options. But also enabling L'pool Docks freight movements (e.g.containers) to/from the North, relieving pressure on the West Coast main line (already operating at full capacity) and taking HGV's off the congested road and Motorway network.

Containers from Liverpool to the North (Scotland ) a few points;

No direct link from Seaforth or Garston Container depots to the Liverpool-Preston line which is severed at Ormskirk.

The WCML north of Preston is only two track all the way up to where the containers want to go.

The many bridges over the old Liverpool-Preston line would not be of a gauge to allow a lot of container trains to be routed that way.

Like your cycling routes /road closures you dream up it would just be pie in the sky and the fact levelling up is just another tory morsel for the easily led. The whole of the UK will never be on the same level as London and the Home Counties when it comes to spending money.

The current Container services mainly run to Scotland overnight so not interfering with passenger services.

Originally Posted by Nash

Not having much success with his efforts so far.

Before we get too misty eyed for the past, any idea what successes Pugh and co had in the 16 years as Southports MP, especially now as sainsburys will be built after wasting over £130k of taxpayers money in the challenge notwithstanding the years of lost job opportunities or redevelopment of a local run down area?

Originally Posted by Username2016

Before we get too misty eyed for the past, any idea what successes Pugh and co had in the 16 years as Southports MP, especially now as sainsburys will be built after wasting over £130k of taxpayers money in the challenge notwithstanding the years of lost job opportunities or redevelopment of a local run down area?

Not misty eyed more a realistic appreciation that Damian Moore is as much a waste of space as you condemn Pugh for being.

Unfortunate democracy comes at a price, whether it be the cost of the objection to Sainsbury’s or the £280k cost of Moore's expenses claim this year.

Originally Posted by Nash

Not misty eyed more a realistic appreciation that Damian Moore is as much a waste of space as you condemn Pugh for being.

Unfortunate democracy comes at a price, whether it be the cost of the objection to Sainsbury’s or the £280k cost of Moore's expenses claim this year.

I don’t think either have been great, but I think the Lib Dems have been terrible for the town, as the town declined on their watch with little action other than handwringing, soundbites and some half baked petitions cynically placed close to an election.

As for Homebase/Sainsburys, that’s hardly democracy as did he ask the majority of the town to block it at the cost of the taxpayer for his logic that it would be the end of Lord street. We just simply have two run down shopping areas now….the Lib Dems have historically been short of ideas for the town, eg Sue Maguires flagship idea seemed to be a tram from ASDA to the pier and “the local enough” John Wright disappeared as soon as he was trounced.