Help to shape plans for a new railway station in north-west Preston

People are encouraged to give their views to shape plans for a new railway station in north-west Preston, which will improve access to work and leisure opportunities.

Cottam Parkway is a proposed new railway station on the north-west side of Preston, on the Blackpool to Preston railway line.

A consultation is now underway until 31 January 2022 to help to finalise plans, before a planning application is submitted next year.

The new railway station serving the west of the city, between Lea and Cottam, has been designed to improve travel connections to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester, and further afield.

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 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.”

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

This would provide a connection to Preston station of just five mins and 20 mins to Blackpool.

Directly connected to the new Preston Western Distributor Road, 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.

The planning application will be submitted in 2022. If 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.

Councillor David Borrow, Cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, said: “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.”

Funding for the station has comes from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund and the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

The City Deal 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.

The Transforming Cities funding will allow the county council to work with partners to fundamentally change the way people travel into and around Preston city centre, and improve the local environment.

The TCF funding from the Department for Transport marks the first stage of a vision to transform the wider Preston City Region to continue to be one of the most productive city regions in the UK, and also become one of the most environmentally sustainable, people-friendly and attractive places in the UK to live, work and enjoy.

To find out more about the station proposals and to give your views, visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/CottamStation

Photo credit: Shutterstock

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