Contractor sought for new Preston train station

Lancashire County Council has begun its search for a contractor to partner on the build of a new train station on the north west side of Preston.

The Cottam Parkway project still requires planning permission, but the council believes having a contractor on side would strengthen its case.

The new railway station, earmarked to sit between Lea Road and Sidgreaves Lane, will provide extra transport options for people travelling to and from the city centre, open up new opportunities for business and leisure journeys, and increase access to mainline rail services.

The new station will also help to reduce congestion in Preston city centre by providing Park & Ride options by train. The station will serve existing residential area and the developing areas in north west Preston where new homes are being built.

It will also serve the wider Fylde and Wyre area thanks to connections to the nearly completed Preston Western Distributor road scheme.

Construction will include the railway station with a footbridge and lifts to the platforms, a car park with electric charging points and bike storage. It will also include a new access road from Cottam Link Road and a canal bridge.

A planning application is expected to be submitted later this year. Once planning approval has been granted, construction is estimated to take around 18 months.

Funding for the station has comes from the Department for Transport's Transforming Cities Fund and the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

Councillor David Borrow, cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, said: "We are pleased to learn that the Cottam Parkway project has reached the next stage of development, with the procurement search for a construction contractor getting underway.

“The rail infrastructure plans for north west Preston will be a great addition to the existing transport on offer.

“In line with the Department for Transport’s plans to boost the Preston City region, the Cottam Parkway project will provide more sustainable travel alternatives for people to choose, which will help reduce road traffic congestion, promote a greener transport system and allow for growing and developing communities, businesses and visitor numbers to our city.”