The Railway

The railway was fundamental to the growth of Fleetwood as a town, but sadly the line was lost in the Beeching Cuts of the 1960’s. Fresh hope has been given to the campaign to restore this historic line, with a government announcement of £100,000 of funding. Pictured above: the Burn Naze line before clearing work by PWRS

On Tuesday 28 January 2020, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will visit Fleetwood. He will announce £21.9m for two railway lines and a New Stations Fund. The Fleetwood to Poulton line is to receive £100,000 to develop a business case. This will look at the economic and social impact or reopening the line. If the assessment is positive, more money will follow.

During the 2019 election campaign, the Conservatives pledged to create a £500m “Beeching reversal fund”. The intention is to to revive branch lines closed more than 50 years ago, when 2,300 stations and up to 5,000 miles of tracks were axed.

Campaign to Reopen the Poulton to Fleetwood Railway Line

Poulton and Wyre Railway Society have been campaigning for many years to re-open this line. The group was formed in 2006 with the aim of one day opening the disused line.

Network Rail granted PWRS a licence to clear the line and repair or replace the broken fences and what remains of the infrastructure. The PWRS took on the challenge and began the daunting task of clearing the line began.

• Much more about the work of Poulton & Wyre Railway Society here

Importance of the Railway to Fleetwood

Work on the railway and the first buildings commenced in 1836 and the first single line railway from Preston opened on 15th July, 1840. It was operated by the Preston and Wyre Railway, Harbour and Dock Company.

In the meantime, houses, hotels and wharf had been built. The North Euston Hotel was built – literally the Euston Hotel of the North.

Fleetwood Railway station itself (above) closed in 1966 and was demolished in 1968. It was so spectacular because it was a terminal station – literally where the line stopped.

At the time, there was no other way of getting to Scotland, other than via Fleetwood. There were trains in Scotland and trains in England, but the two railways weren’t connected.

Did you know? That Fleetwood was the first place in the world to have a railway to the seaside?

• More about the history of Fleetwood here

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