Fleetwood railway line - reopening feasibility study

Following the completion of an initial study into the feasibility of reopening the Fleetwood to Poulton-le-Fylde railway, the Department for Transport announced in June 2022 that it will fund the scheme through its next phase of development.

The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC), prepared by Atkins on behalf of Lancashire County Council and submitted to central government in summer 2021, examined the case for re-opening the 5-mile line which was closed to passenger traffic in 1970, and freight in 1999.

Developed in partnership with the Department for Transport, Blackpool Council, Blackpool Transport, Fleetwood Town Council, Network Rail, Poulton & Wyre Railway Society and Wyre Borough Council, the study looked at three options to improve connectivity and accessibility by rail for the Fylde Peninsula:

  • Restoration of the heavy rail link integrating with the national rail network at Poulton-le-Fylde
  • Extending the existing tram network at Fleetwood ferry and Poulton-le-Fylde
  • A tram/train hybrid scheme where light rail vehicles are able to operate on both heavy and light rail systems

A review of existing bus provision has also been carried out, which concludes that improvements to local bus services and interchange with rail services could be delivered as part of the emerging National Bus Strategy.

The study explored the strategic context for improving transport infrastructure and services, concluding that the scheme would:

  • significantly improve connectivity from Fleetwood to the major economic centres of Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond
  • address current access problems including the lack of sustainable travel choices which often leads to congestion on local roads
  • improve journey times by public transport which could lead to a step-change in where people choose to live and work, a key component of the Levelling Up agenda
  • improve the Fylde economy, and value as a place to live, by making the area more accessible
  • contribute to future government targets in relation to the decarbonisation of our transport system and improving the local environment

The next phase of work will provide a more detailed forecast of likely demand for the service, examine the value for money of reopening the line, and identify the best option to deliver the scheme.

This further study will be carried out by Network Rail, working with Lancashire County Council and other partners, and is being funded through the Department for Transport's Restoring Your Railway programme.