Government approve plans to reopen Fleetwood to Poulton rail link

The Fleetwood to Poulton-le-Fylde railway line has been shut since the 1970s and campaigners have tirelessly fought for it to be reopened.

Now, the Department for Transport has now agreed to fund the line and plans will progress to the next stage of the Restoring your Railway fund programme.

Of an initial 199 bids in the Ideas Fund round of the programme, the Poulton-le-Fylde to Fleetwood railway line is one of nine schemes which will now receive funding to carry out further development work.

An initial business case was submitted to government in April 2021 outlining three potential options to reopen the line including heavy rail, light rail and a tram system.

This next phase will now see a more detailed business case put forward identifying the preferred option and associated costs.

In January 2020, the Government pledged £500 million for the Restoring Your Railway (RYR) Fund, to deliver on its manifesto commitment and start reopening lines and stations as part of the levelling-up agenda.

Schemes that have been successful in progressing through to this next stage have been identified as bringing socio-economic benefits as well as the ability to reconnect and level up the community.

Garry Payne, Chief Executive of Wyre Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Wyre and takes this much needed improvement to local transport one step closer to being delivered.

"We have been working with local stakeholders for a long time now, prior to the Government’s programme, so it’s great to hear today that the green light has been given to draw up more detailed plans.

“Restoring the rail connection from Poulton to Fleetwood is key to providing increased employment opportunities, links to further and higher education for young people, boosting Wyre’s visitor economy and for the overall regeneration of the area.”

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard said he welcomes the news.

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard

He said:” I welcomed the news that the reopening of the Fleetwood-Poulton line has moved one giant step closer as the Government which Restoring Your Railways are being green-lighted for further progress.

“As one of nine projects announced that are moving forward to the delivery phase, I am immensely satisfied that the hard work not just of myself over many years but also Wyre and Lancashire Councils, the staff at Blackpool Transport and the volunteers at the Poulton & Wyre Railway Society have put in.

“It is a major achievement to be one of the selected projects, and it will make a massive difference to the regeneration prospects of Thornton and Fleetwood.

“It also brings one step closer the tramloop for the whole of the Fylde Coast which I have been arguing for.

“We are the only part of the country with its own dedicated cabinet sub-committee, and it is due to this fact that projects such as this are given the cross-government momentum to move forward.

“I hope there is much, much more to come for the Fylde Coast.”

Once opened, it is hoped that the railway line can slash journey times in half with councillors previously saying it could be “monumental” for Fleetwood and really put the town on the map

County Councillor Stephen Clarke for Fleetwood West and Cleveleys said: "This is going to be monumental for our town and it will really put Fleetwood on the map.

"This will make it easier for people to get in and out of the town, as well as create more trade and jobs.”