SOUTH FYLDE LINE A PRESENTATION TO SINTROPHER PARTNERSHIP MEETING BY RICHARD WATTS RAIL PROJECTS MANAGER AND COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP SECRETARY
SOUTH FYLDE LINE The route
THE COMMUNITY RAIL STRATEGY The Community Rail Strategy, launched in November 2004, proposes practical and pragmatic ways of managing rural and local railways. The Strategy aims to offer new life for local lines through a The Strategy aims to offer new life for local lines through a community driven approach - securing the future of these routes by putting them on a more sustainable footing.
THE COMMUNITY RAIL STRATEGY The four aims of the strategy are: Increasing revenue Reducing costs Increasing community involvement in the lines Stimulation of economic and social regeneration At the heart of the Strategy are Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs), which bring together local stakeholders to support the development of local rail services. CRP core membership is usually the lead local authority, the county council, the train operator, Network Rail and other commercial and non commercial members may be active according to local circumstances.
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Partnership established on 14 th December 2006 Covers the line between Preston and Blackpool South Formally designated by the DfT in April 2008 as a Community Rail Service Officially launched on Community Rail Day 17 th May 2008
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Launch day at Lytham
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Management Group comprises representatives from: Lancashire County Council Blackpool Borough Council Northern Rail Network Rail Fylde Borough Council St. Annes Town Council Blackpool & Fylde Rail Users Association Blackpool International Airport Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ex officio) Community Rail Development Officer (ex officio)
SOUTH FYLDE LINE The Management Group: Meets bi monthly Route Prospectus Terms of Reference Annual Action Plan AGM election of Chair, Vice Chair & Partnership Secretary Agreed budget and funding Marketing Plan Stakeholder Group
SOUTH FYLDE LINE St. Annes-on-the-Sea station
SOUTH FYLDE LINE THE ROUTE 20 miles long linking Lancashire s administrative centre, Preston with Blackpool on the Fylde Coast via Kirkham, Lytham and St.Annes Serves a population of around 350,000, some very affluent and some very poor An hourly service Monday to Saturday and on summer Sundays Through service to Colne via Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley Connections at Preston to London, Scotland, the Midlands and locally to Manchester, Manchester Airport and Liverpool
SOUTH FYLDE LINE
SOUTH FYLDE LINE ASPIRATIONS The aspirations of the CRP are to provide improved rail services and facilities through the following short, medium and long term aims: Short term: Improved station facilities Improved information for users and visitors Improved information about bus links to/from key interchanges
SOUTH FYLDE LINE ASPIRATIONS The aspirations of the CRP are to provide improved rail services and facilities through the following short, medium and long term aims: Medium term: Improved journey times Improved park and ride facilities Develop stations as gateways to the local community Improve walking routes between stations and their hinterland
SOUTH FYLDE LINE ASPIRATIONS The aspirations of the CRP are to provide improved rail services and facilities through the following short, medium and long term aims: Long term: Improved access to Blackpool International Airport and improved integration with Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway Improved connections at Preston Improved quality of rolling stock Improved service frequencies New station facilities where appropriate
SOUTH FYLDE LINE OBSTACLES A number of obstacles make the work of the partnership challenging: 12 miles of single line from Kirkham to Blackpool South Route currently operated by life expired rolling stock (25+ years old) The route (Colne to Blackpool South) is Northern Rail s poorest performing route with a PPM of just 83.05% Lack of committed funding
SOUTH FYLDE LINE A 142 stands at Lytham station
SOUTH FYLDE LINE ACHIEVEMENTS Whilst the obstacles may seem insurmountable the partnership is working hard and has had a number of successes: Quality Improvement Team set up to look at performance on the whole route Partnership officially launched and recognised by the DfT (Designation) South Fylde Rail Ale Trail (BAFRUA & CAMRA) Discover the South Fylde Line marketing brochure launched Mini-site as part of larger Community Rail Lancashire website Station Partnerships (level 2 adoption) at four stations
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Friends of St. Annes station
SOUTH FYLDE LINE The Chairman, St. Annes Mayor & Partnership Officer
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Visits to website since inception: 2105 unique visits 2847 visits 9251 pages viewed
SOUTH FYLDE LINE LYTHAM ST. ANNES 2020 VISION The CRP is working closely with Fylde Borough Council to link their 2020 Vision to the local community rail network and in particular to: A small station scheme at Lytham to enhance the entrance to the station and to make it a more inviting place to catch a train Working in partnership with Northern Rail and Network Rail to make improvements to Ansdell & Fairhaven station in preparation for the Open Golf Tournament in 2012 Working towards a solution for the unsightly disused platform at St. Annes-on-the-Sea station
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Lytham station proposals
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Ansdell & Fairhaven station
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Blackpool South station
SOUTH FYLDE LINE Blackpool Pleasure Beach station