Call For West Lancashire council

Feb 2 2012 by Michael Byrne, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A TRANSPORT lobby group is pushing for West Lancashire Council to make a strong case for a railway station to be built in Skelmersdale in its Local plan.

Bob Robinson, a committee member of the Ormskirk, Preston and Southport Travellers Association, said the plan says the Council will support the delivery of and not allow development which could prejudice the delivery of a new rail station in Skelmersdale. He said officers need to contact neighbouring authorities to get their support. They also need to put safeguards in the plan protecting possible routes for the railway.

Mr Robinson: “The benefits for Skelmersdale of having a railway station to improve links to Liverpool and Manchester would be enormous. People would be have more chance to get to places where there are better jobs, while better transport could also help improve the housing market.”

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper said: “I agree that we must be safeguarding land in the Local Plan for a future rail service and station in Skelmersdale. In the last couple of weeks in Parliament I have called for more investment in local rail services and developing schemes such as a railway station in Skelmersdale. Given the extensive development improving the transport infrastructure is essential.”

A West Lancashire Council spokesman said: “The draft Local Plan currently has a policy supporting a new station in Skelmersdale. The council has been in discussion with Merseytravel and Lancashire County Council about study work that is being undertaken to progress this issue.”