Intoduction

Poulton and Wyre Railway Society stems from the merger of two groups, the first being the Wyre Rail Cycle Partnership formed by the Poulton Market Town Initiative in 2005. The second being a dedicated group of Railway enthusiasts.

The WRCP wished to see the line from Poulton junction to Burn Naze re-opened and extended to Fleetwood as a modern commuter railway {with a heritage feel at the Station sites} and joint cyclepath/ bridleway. The second group proposed that the line became a heritage railway, offering tourists the chance of a trip behind a steam locomotive on the Fylde coast, whilst also offering to look into running a commuter service using other heritage locomotives.

The two groups merged in April 2006 and held a public meeting in the Wyre Borough Council offices at Poulton Le Fylde. The attendance was overwhelming. Over one hundred people packed into the council chamber and by the end of the night it had been agreed that the PWRS would push forward with the heritage scheme, while still offering support to Network Rail if they decided to upgrade the line as a part of the national network.

Priorities

1) New Feasibility Study

As you may know the Halcrow Feasibility Study proved (on paper) that the reopening of the railway is key to social and economic growth of the towns along the former route, specifically Thornton and Fleetwood. Other studies such as the Fleetwood Master Plan (King Sturge) and Poulton/Fleetwood Corridor (Atkins) also stated that rail reinstatement to Fleetwood was key to future growth. Infact the Fleetwood Master Plan stated "The reinstatement of the line is physically and operationally feasible. It would create significant economic and social benefits and a positive impact on the local economy supporting further sustainable growth that is hard to envisage without a rail link"

Various stake holders such as Wyre Borough and Lancashire County Council are fully supportive of the rail project and it has been agreed by all that to move forward a new study is required. The new study will concentrate on looking at the best model for reopening, it is hoped that after funds have been raised the study will be commissioned and completed early 2008. Once this has been completed PWRS and the various stake holders can discuss who will do what and when.

2) Wennington Signal Box

We intend to restore this to full working order. Will it be operational on the line you ask? The box is a Midland type two A, not really in keeping with a former L&Y/LNWR joint line. If it were to be used, it would be on one of the newly constructed parts i.e. the Fleetwood end, as we should like to reconstruct any boxes that pre-existed as they were. e.g. Thornton and Burn Naze. If we decide not to use it as part of the operating railway, then it would most likely become part of a new museum and visitor centre complex that we would like to see built in Fleetwood.

3) Thornton Station

As you may have read PWRS have secured a three year lease of the former Thornton for Cleveleys station from Network Rail. We are already some months into our lease and already the platforms are almost clear of vegetation. We are responsible for the section of line and land which runs from Station Road to Hillylaid Crossing. Projects planned include the reinstatement of boundaries using a mixture of palisade and natural (hawthorn) fencing, renovation of the former ticket office, rebuild of the station buildings located on the down platform (the foundations still exist) and of course the signal box.

3) Burn Naze Station

Burn Naze station is not accessible at present. We have a very good relationship with NPL estates, the owner of Hill House Business Park within whose land the former platforms are located we are sure that no major problems will arise once we require access.

4) Fleetwood Station

The Fleetwood Master Plan highlighted a possible station site at the bottom of Herring Arm Road. A station site within this area would be preferred on the basis that the railway does not need to cross any established roads. This is a good thing as we understand that to gain permission from the HMRI for a new crossing could take in excess of five years. Other than this snippet of information there is nothing to report.

5) Poulton Station

We have recently formalised the PMTI working groups to form the Poulton Station Partnership, those responsible under the PMTI banner include: PWRS, The Heritage Task Group and the Green Team. The later of which have recently been awarded a discresionary award from the North West in Bloom judges. Working with Network Rail and Northern Rail the partnership will carry on with future improvements such as CCTV and efforts will be made to create a more authentic L&Y/LNWR look.