Threat to Southport Town Deal warning, as rail consultation closes today

Southport’s multi-million pound Town Deal funding could be undermined by the threat to one of its vital transport links, it has been warned.

Just last week it was announced that the town is to receive £37.5m to fund projects aimed at boosting the local economy but campaigners say much of this could be undone by the removal of its direct rail service to Manchester Piccadilly.

The service is under threat from a Department for Transport led consultation which offers three options – all of which result in the removal of the service to the south of Manchester.

It’s been described as a “stacked deck” against Southport by local rail campaign “Hands Off”, which has warned of the damage the route closure could cause to the town, and others along the route.

Southport Councillor Greg Myers, who organised the campaign and its online petition, says today is the final day for residents and commuters to voice their opposition to the proposals:

“This rigged consultation closes tonight at 1159pm. Led by the government’s own Department for Transport via its role in the Manchester Rail Recovery Taskforce, it pretends to offer choice but actually offers none for Southport.”

“Please respond to it and sign our petition against it. We need to make the voice of Southport heard loud and clear while telling the government “Hands Off” our vital rail route.”

“The damage the closure would inflict could undo much of the excellent work put in by the Town Deal Board and Sefton Council in securing the funding. It makes no sense at all.”

“That’s why the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor has strongly backed our campaign and Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Transport Committee have firmly rejected the proposals.”

Co-organiser Councillor Gordon Friel, who has been a long-time campaigner to save the service, continued:

“It’s also why nearly 1200 people so far have signed our OPSTA-backed petition but we need as many people as possible to sign and share the petition today, and to also respond ‘No Change’ to the consultation.”

“Time is running out to ensure that the Department for Transport understands it cannot treat Southport so unfairly.”

“It’s not the first time they have tried to do so either in recent years and it’s shameful that they are back once again trying by less than transparent means to achieve their goal.”

“The buck stops with them and the government and if this route closes they will be responsible for the problems caused.”

The petition to sign and share can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-hands-off-our-vital-southport-to-manchester-piccadilly-rail-service

Please respond “No Change” to the consultation here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/timetable-options-to-improve-rail-performance-in-the-north-of-england