User:NeoJade/sandbox/Burscough Curves
| Burscough Curves | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Locale | Lancashire |
| History | |
| Closed | July 1969 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Burscough Curves were a section of track that linked the Ormskirk - Preston and Southport - Manchester lines. The section of track was removed during a rail restructure in the 1960s - 70s.[1]
History
[edit]During the rail restructuring of the 1960s and 1970s, the "Burscough Curves", which formed a link between the Ormskirk-Preston and Southport-Wigan lines were removed, although the formation survives. The North Curve was taken out of use and severed in July 1969, being lifted in 1973: it was last used for a Saturdays only empty train from Blackpool to Southport.[2] The South Curve was singled in 1970, but remained in use to serve the extensive sidings at the MOD depot located just to the north of Burscough Junction station. It saw its last train in 1982.
The passenger service from Ormskirk to Burscough Junction and on to Southport, which used the southern curve, was withdrawn in 1962 as can be seen from the British Rail London Midland Region Timetable of that year.
Re-opening proposals
[edit]Over the years there has been several proposals and pushes to reinstate the curve, so far Network Rail and the Department for Transport have not been persuaded.
Various schemes have been proposed, including the full electrification of the line from Southport via Burscough to Ormskirk using the same third rail system as Merseyrail. This proposal would allow users of the Ormskirk branch of Merseyrail's Northern Line to reach Southport without having to travel via Sandhills.
In 2008 a Route Utilisation Strategy by Network Rail suggests there is support for re-opening the curve.[3]
In June 2009, the Association of Train Operating Companies, in its Connecting Communities: Expanding Access to the Rail Network report, called for funding for the reopening of this line as part of a £500m scheme to open 33 stations on 14 lines closed in the Beeching Axe, including seven new parkway stations.[4][5] The uses of the curves in a new service pattern has been identified by Network Rail, if electrified along with the through lines.[6]
Additionally, Network Rail has identified electrification of Wigan to Southport, together with the Ormskirk to Preston Line and the Burscough Curves as a possible source of new services.[6]
In a parliamentary debate on 27 April 2011, the transport minister expressed interest in discussing the curves' reinstatement with former Southport MP John Pugh.[7]
The New Merseyrail Fleet A Platform For Future Innovations document, mentions regarding Ormskirk-Preston enhancements, that there is the potential to use battery powered Merseyrail units that may improve the business case for opening the curves. The document states there will be a review after the Merseyrail units have been tested for battery operation in 2020.[8]
The new Class 777 Merseyrail trains, capable of battery electric operation, may be considered for use on the Burscough Curves.[9] Merseytravel's Long Term Strategy puts the opening of the curves in Network Rail's CP7 period.[10]
In March 2020, the MPs for Southport, South Ribble, West Lancs and Preston (Damien Moore, Katherine Fletcher, Rosie Cooper and Sir Mark Hendrick) along with Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver united in a bid to pressure Network Rail and the Government to reinstate the curves.[11]
In March 2021 the council made a formal application to the Department for Transport for funding to reopen the curves.[12]
In November 2021 it was announced that the bid for £50,000 to fund a feasibility study was rejected by the Department for Transport.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Roberts-Haslam, Benjamin (2022-06-26). "People call for Burscough Curves to be reinstated". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ British Railways London Midland Region Working Timetable May 1969-May 1970.
- ^ Lancashire and Cumbria Route Utilisation Strategy Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Network Rail.
- ^ "BBC NEWS - England - Operators call for new rail lines". BBC News. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
- ^ "Connecting Communities – Expanding Access to the Rail Network" (PDF). London: Association of Train Operating Companies. June 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Network RUS Electrification" (PDF). October 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Transport debate in Parliament: Railway Expansion". House of Commons. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). moderngov.merseytravel.uk.net. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Long Term Rail Strategy" (PDF). October 2017. p. 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ "Merseytravel Committee Rail Development And Delivery" (PDF). Merseytravel. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ Houston, Hayley (2020-03-29). "Southport, Preston and West Lancs MPs launch Burscough curve rail bid". accrington. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
- ^ "Formal application submitted to reopen Burscough Curves rail line". April 2021.
- ^ Lopez, Jamie (2021-11-04). "Preston to Southport rail link plan rejection hard to understand". Lancs Live. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
External links
[edit]
Media related to NeoJade/sandbox/Burscough Curves at Wikimedia Commons