| BURSCOUGH BREAKTHROUGH - 150 M FUND LAUNCHED |
| Thursday, 19 April 2007 | |
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Following a meeting with Network Rail in the Southport, campaigners are heartened by the extent to which restoration of the Curves is gaining support. Southport MP, John Pugh, says: "We understand that the Rail Utilisation Strategy for Lancashire being developed by Network Rail the case for linking up rail from Merseyside through to Preston has bought the stupidity of having two unconnected stations at Burscough into sharp focus.The scheme is winning ever more friends. "Restoring the Curves would undoubtedly improve significantly rail access into and out of Southport but now it appears the biggest winner might be Preston." Hopes were raised more this week when the MP hosted in the House of Commons an event launching a new private investment fund of £150M supported by the Kilbride Housing Group and Legal and General for sustainable rail development. He told rail industry leaders and media that small scheme like the Burscough Curves can be backed by a sound business case! A new website has been set up for the Curves project www.swoplink.org.uk. Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority are embarked on a feasibility study of electrifying the line up to Burscough. "The ducks are starting to line up ! " |