Fleetwood Branch Line
Encyclopedia
The Fleetwood Branch Line consists of the train line from to . It passed through many smaller stations along the way (most of which are now closed). When work at Fleetwood docks was under threat, the Fleetwood station was closed, this effectively closed the branch in 1970. Proposals exist to re-open the branch to passenger services in the near future.
plant at until 1999, when all traffic on the line ceased.
has supported the re-opening of the branch line to Fleetwood in its Connecting Communities report, and Lancashire County Council
's (LCC) Rail Improvement Schemes draft report in March 2010 stated the case for re-opening was "compelling". Network Rail has stated that a feasibility study must first take place, which would cost around £30,000. As well as re-opening the branch, it is likely that a third platform would also be constructed at Poulton-le-Fylde.
The cost of re-opening the branch is estimated at £5.5 million as much of the track is still in situ. The line will have a planned freight trip to Fleetwood Tip.
However the line could one day become one of a few heritage railways in Britain to own and operate fully complete branch line as The Poulton & Wyre Valley Railway with Thornton for Cleveleys restored and preserved as Headquarters of the group.
History
The line was first opened in 1840. In 1966, station was closed, and station became the terminus; however, four years later in 1970 passenger services were curtailed as far as . The line continued as a freight route to access the ICIImperial Chemical Industries
Imperial Chemical Industries was a British chemical company, taken over by AkzoNobel, a Dutch conglomerate, one of the largest chemical producers in the world. In its heyday, ICI was the largest manufacturing company in the British Empire, and commonly regarded as a "bellwether of the British...
plant at until 1999, when all traffic on the line ceased.
Current situation
Around 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of track, including the junction at Poulton-le-Fylde, still exists, but is overgrown.Future of the Branch
The Association of Train Operating CompaniesAssociation of Train Operating Companies
The Association of Train Operating Companies is a body which represents 24 train operating companies that provide passenger railway services on the privatised British railway system. It owns the National Rail brand. The Association is an unincorporated association owned by its members...
has supported the re-opening of the branch line to Fleetwood in its Connecting Communities report, and Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Lancashire, England. It currently consists of 84 councillors, and is controlled by the Conservative Party, who won control of the council in the local council elections in June 2009, ending 28 years of...
's (LCC) Rail Improvement Schemes draft report in March 2010 stated the case for re-opening was "compelling". Network Rail has stated that a feasibility study must first take place, which would cost around £30,000. As well as re-opening the branch, it is likely that a third platform would also be constructed at Poulton-le-Fylde.
The cost of re-opening the branch is estimated at £5.5 million as much of the track is still in situ. The line will have a planned freight trip to Fleetwood Tip.
Preservation
The Poulton & Wyre Railway Society are a local organisation campaigning for the line to be re-instated and have taken a three-year lease on station; LCC seeks to support the society to help to deliver the scheme.However the line could one day become one of a few heritage railways in Britain to own and operate fully complete branch line as The Poulton & Wyre Valley Railway with Thornton for Cleveleys restored and preserved as Headquarters of the group.