Consultation underway for new station in Preston

People are being asked for their thoughts on a new railway station in north-west Preston.

The station is designed to give the area better access to work and leisure opportunities, improving travel connections to Preston, Blackpool, Manchester and further afield. It will be in public consultation until 31 January.

Preston City Council says the new station would be situated near to the site of a former station between Lea Road and Sidgreaves Lane / Darkinson Lane, and provide car parking and bus, cycling and walking links to the local area.

The council says the station would provide an attractive and convenient option for commuters travelling from the west side of the city, including those who park at Preston Railway station to catch trains for other destinations in the region.

Funding for the station has been secured and includes £22.31m awarded by the Department for Transport from the Transforming Cities Fund, and £1.6m from the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal. The latter is an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and Homes England.

£40.4 million of overall Transforming Cities funding will allow Lancashire County Council to work with partners to fundamentally change the way people travel into and around Preston city centre, and improve the local environment.

County Councillor Charlie Edwards, Cabinet member for highways and transport at Lancashire County Council, said: “We are proud to be developing these plans for a brand new railway station to benefit the emerging communities, new home developments and other transport improvements in north-west Preston.

“We are asking people today to help us to shape the plans for this exciting project, which will open up more opportunities for work and leisure time, as well as supporting the ongoing development of thousands of new homes in the area.

“By providing alternatives to car use, it will help to reduce congestion in and around the city centre and elsewhere on the road network.

“We’ve identified that this will be the location for the new station and ask people to take a look at these proposals and help us to shape our plans.”

Councillor David Borrow, Cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, added: “We are pleased to hear that the plans for the Cottam Parkway – a much needed infrastructure for the North West Preston development – have moved a step closer with this consultation. We believe the plans to improve the transport offer in Preston with a focus on low carbon journeys and green travel are essential in helping our transport networks to meet the current and future needs of our growing and developing communities, businesses and visitor numbers.

“The plans provide the sustainable transport networks needed to support economic growth in Preston and outline essential and transformational ways to relieve congestion and pressure on roads, as well as promote alternative means of travel. Together with our partners, we continue to explore every opportunity available to enhance and develop Preston, including transport and connections in and around the city.”

The planning application will be submitted in 2022. Assuming the plans are given the green light, construction would begin in 2023 and the station would be open and operating by the end of 2024.

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