Lancashire County Council is to submit a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for government investment in a new railway line and station in Skelmersdale.
The proposed transport link would enable Skelmersdale to be better connected to the centres of Liverpool, Manchester and Preston, which should open up job, education and leisure opportunities. It would also encourage business developments, encourage inward investment and support economic growth.
In addition, the SOBC also argues the link would significantly contribute to decarbonisation, local air quality, healthy and active travel agendas.
Estimated project costs currently range between £210m and £700m and the submission to government will look for agreement to move to the next stage of the development process. The preferred location for the new development remains to be land at the former Glenburn College Site, which has already been secured by Lancashire County Council.
Coun Charlie Edwards, cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“Skelmersdale is a unique part of Lancashire due to its radical design as a New Town in the 1960s. Unfortunately as the town grew, the rail link was never reinstated.
“Improving the public transport network will help to encourage regeneration in the area and make the town a more appealing place to live, work, visit and invest.
“In recent years, the county council has been working to increase transport options. This is an important stage of the highly-detailed and lengthy process which we need to go through to bring these major rail improvements for people in the town.”
The SOBC has been developed in partnership with organisations including Merseytravel, Network Rail and West Lancashire Borough Council. Summaries of the SOBC can be read online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/skelmersdale-rail-link