Damien Moore MP calls for:- 'Network North' to reinstate the Burscough Curves

LOCAL member of Parliament, Damien Moore, is calling on the Government to fulfill its commitments to:- 'Level Up' the North by enhancing Regional connectivity, promoting economic growth, and increasing Regional economic integration.  

Following the announcement that £19.8 billion will be invested into Northern Powerhouse Rail and local transportation networks across the Northwest, Mr Moore has immediately contacted Ministers to reaffirm that the reinstatement of the Burscough Curves would be a vital project for connectivity in the local area. 

This news comes after Mr Moore has previously met with The Minister of State for Transport Huw Merriman to discuss the routes rail reintegration. 

With the termination and reallocation of HS2 funding to Northern Powerhouse Rail, Mr. Moore is advocating for the reinstatement of the Burscough Curves rail link between:- Southport, Preston (Lancs), and Manchester Piccadilly, which would improve Regional network capacity, standardise service accessibility, and reduce journey times.  

Mr. Moore will continue working alongside community representatives, rail operators, and Government Ministers to campaign for the inclusion of this route within the Northern Powerhouse Rail's £19.8 billion Northern transportation portfolio. 
  
Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "I support the Prime Minister in making sure that the North of England is well connected. That is why I have been leading the campaign to reinstate the Burscough curves, to secure improved Regional rail connectivity to catalyse local tourism, trade and travel. To:- 'Level Up' Southport, we need to further strengthen our Regional transportation infrastructure, enabling us to fully unleash the economic potential of Southport's successful £37.5 million:- 'Town Deal' funding bid, by increasing rail capacity, speed, and service frequency. Network North's £36-billion-pound Transportation Investment fund provides the opportune moment and programme for the Government to fulfil its:- 'Levelling Up' pledge to Southport, supporting vital local communities, economies, and infrastructure."

Further benefits of scrapping HS2 for the North West of England might include:-

• Nearly £4 billion through CRSTS to ensure all 6 Northern City Regions will receive more than double their CRSTS1 funding to improve connectivity in their areas, which could pay for schemes such as:- the extension of the Manchester Metrolink to Heywood, Bolton, Wigan and Manchester Airport, and bus rapid transit corridors in Manchester.
   

• A brand new £2.5 billion fund to transform local transport in 14 rural counties, smaller cities, and towns. This new money could pay for new stations, further electrification, bus corridors and new integrated public transport networks. The Energy Coast Line between:- Carlisle, Workington and Barrow will be upgraded, improving capacity and journey times, enabling trains every 30 minutes between:- Carlisle, Workington, and Whitehaven. The upgrade will also accommodate major new freight demands from the new coal mine and provide regular services for the Westlakes Science Park, Nuclear Academy and Sellafield. This could support the creation of over 18,000 jobs.
   

• £100 million will be shared across the North and Midlands to support the development and roll-out of London style contactless and smart ticketing, supporting seamless travel by enabling contactless, or smartcard payment.
   

• £3.3 billion long-term road resurfacing fund for North alone will combat the potholes causing misery for drivers and more than £500 million in funding will be provided for 2 major road schemes around Manchester. These include:- a new link road between the M62 and the M60, Manchester's ring road and the busiest freight route outside the M25. The scheme will help tackle congestion and reduce delays.
   

• A total of £300 million will ensure the delivery of 9 smaller road schemes, including:- the A582 South Ribble Distributor, Kendal Northern Access Route, and the Wigan East West Route.
   

• The popular £2 bus fare will also be extended until the end of December 2024 instead of rising to £2.50 as planned. This will mean passengers on a bus journey from:- Lancaster to Kendal will save £12.50 every time they travel.
   

• A £700 million bus funding package in the North will also see more buses and more frequent routes. They will include:- a new service to Royal Blackburn Hospital, doubling the service between:- Northwich and Chester and more buses to industrial estates and business parks.
   

• Greater Manchester will also receive around £1.5 billion from the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement 2 budget, and around £900 million additional funding; funded from HS2; which is an unprecedented investment in local transport networks. That is more than double their allocation under the previous programme.
   

• Liverpool City Region will also receive c.£1 billion from the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) 2 budget, plus a further £600 million on top; funded from HS2. That is more than double their allocation under the last round.

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LCR Connect scoops 2nd national award

MAYOR Steve Rotheram's flagship project to create an ultrafast, full fibre network across the Liverpool City Region has scooped a 2nd prestigious national award.

LCR Connect is installing a 214km gigabit capable network that will generate an initial £105m for the local economy, eventually leading to an estimated £1bn boost.

The £30m joint venture between the Combined Authority, ITS and NGE is part of Mayor Rotheram's mission to make the City Region the most digitally connected in the UK.

LCR Connect was this week named Best Project Roll Out at the Connected Britain awards, which recognise the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions and programmes that are shaping Britain's digital future.

The award is for an organisation of any type that has been outstanding in enhancing the delivery of gigabit-capable broadband in the UK.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "A forward-facing City Region like ours deserves to have modern and thriving infrastructure; and that's exactly what we're delivering through LCR Connect. As we move towards an increasingly digital world, ensuring that our residents and businesses are properly connected up to this 21st century necessity has never been more important. Thanks to LCR Connect, we're well on our way to becoming the most digitally inclusive Region in the country; and creating a better connected future for our 1.6m residents."

It's LCR Connect's 2nd major national award in less than a year. In November it was named Best Public Sector Project at the INCA awards held at Liverpool's St George's Hall. INCA (the Independent Networks Co-operative Association) supports the development of independent digital networks and infrastructure across the UK.

LCR Connect is 50% owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, led by Mayor Rotheram, in partnership with North West-based ITS Technology Group, who are the lead commercial partner on the project, working alongside construction partner NGE, who are managing the build and roll out of the network.

Alongside existing local digital infrastructure, the new fibre optic network is helping position the City Region as a world leader in digital technology.

Councillor Paul Stuart, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Digital and Innovation said:- "The LCR Connect project is a worthy winner of this award which recognises the huge difference this major digital infrastructure project will make to our City Region and its contribution to national digital capacity. Investment in this type of infrastructure will be the key to our future prosperity."

Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS Technology Group, said:- "We are delighted this game-changing digital infrastructure project has received industry recognition. As a gigabit-capable super-highway, LCR Connect is opening up the digital potential for everyone across the City Region. Through future-proofed connectivity the network brings, we're providing the platform for businesses and citizens to access digital tools that can make a real difference. From enabling innovation and inward investment, through to digital inclusion, it's a network that will benefit the whole area."

David Franck, International Director, NGE, said:- "NGE is proud to be rolling-out the 214km backhaul network and investing alongside its partners for the long-term benefit of the Liverpool City Region."

Work will be completed later this year on the 214km full fibre network, capable of delivering multi-gigabit connections, that will help position the City Region at the head of the next digital revolution, supporting business innovation, inward investment, and job creation.

Experts estimate that with 100% full fibre coverage across the City Region, building on this network, the economic boost could be worth up to £1bn, creating thousands of local job and training opportunities.

In its initial phase, the consortium is creating a resilient fibre:- 'backhaul network,' connecting 3 transatlantic cables and major economic clusters in each of the Liverpool City Region's 6 local authority areas.

The INCA:- 'Best Public Sector Project' award, won by LCR Connect in November 2022, recognises that local authorities and other public bodies often play a crucial role in the delivery of world class connectivity for their communities. Working in collaboration with communities and private sector partners, balancing needs and priorities in order to deliver successful outcomes requires skill and judgement. This award recognises that expertise and celebrates outstanding achievement in a public sector project.

For more information on LCR Connect's build progress and service availability visit:- LCRConnect.Com.