Burscough Curves may be brought back into use

Feb 22 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

FRESH hopes were raised last night that two popular commuter hubs could be linked through the reinstatement of a piece of derelict train line.

Merseytravel announced it is funding a study looking at demand for the potential reinstatement and electrification of the Burscough Curves.

The Burscough Curves project would involve electrifying the link between two stations in Burscough, currently on completely separate railway lines – Burscough Bridge (Southport to Manchester line) and Burscough Junction (Ormskirk to Preston line).

It would allow for a direct link between Ormskirk and Southport which are both terminus stations for different branches of Merseyrail’s Northern line.

A cost is yet to be put on the project, which would bring back into use the disused track shut down in 1962 as part of the infamous Beeching cuts.

Burscough commuters hope the reintroduction of the curves could also lead to an extension of the Merseyrail network to their village.

The announcement comes as it was confirmed that a £1.1m redevelopment of Ormskirk station is expected to start within three months.

Merseytravel has contributed £200,000 to the upgrading of the Grade II building with a new booking hall, public toilets, better waiting areas, and new roofing and stone work.

The station acts as an interchange between electric services from Liverpool and diesel services from Preston.

Merseytravel also announced it is to contribute £215,000 to the £10m new-look Chester Station.

Southport MP John Pugh said: “I have been very closely involved in this for some time and had discussions with Network Rail and transport providers about this.

“Now finally it looks like people are taking the project sufficiently seriously to put money on the table and that is a very good sign.

“We are convinced there is a viable business case. Burscough is growing and so is the possibility of reinstating the Burscough Curves.”

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper said: “I am fully supportive of anything that could bring about the reinstatement of the Burscough Curves.

“This is something I have been working hard for since I got elected because it is so important.”

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel, said: “The redevelopment of Ormskirk Station is important because it links closely with what we are looking to do with the Burscough Curves, which has a lot of support locally.

“It’s important we plan for the future, and that’s exactly what we are doing.

“Ormskirk is a key station on the network and for a relatively small amount of funding we can make some really important improvements.”

davidbartlett