Plans submitted for new Preston railway station

A planning application for a new railway station to the north-west of Preston city centre has been submitted to Lancashire County Council.

Cottam Parkway would sit between Lea and Cottam. Part of the Blackpool to Preston railway line, it is designed to improve travel connections to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester, and further afield, and provide an alternative for those who currently park at Preston Railway Station to catch their train.

The plans have been developed by Lancashire County council working with Preston City Council and Network Rail.

If approved by the county council, construction would begin next year.

County councillor Charlie Edwards, cabinet member for highways and transport at the county council, said: "The planning application is a big step forward in delivering this new railway station, which will open up new opportunities for people and be a gateway to other parts of the region.

"We've made some important changes to the design since we announced the plans. We've added native scrubs, trees and native species-rich grassland on a field near the station to provide an overall boost to biodiversity from this scheme and help wildlife, which will also give a 10% biodiversity net gain for the project.

"We're already in talks with the Department for Transport and rail operators to get as many services as possible serving the station."

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