MP Calls for Reinstatement of Burscough Curves to Improve Regional Rail Connectivity
PATRICK Hurley, MP for Southport, is calling for the
reinstatement of the Burscough Curves, a key project that would enhance rail
connections in:- Southport, Ormskirk, and surrounding areas.
The proposal seeks to reconnect the:- Southport to Manchester and Liverpool to
Ormskirk to Preston lines by reopening the North and South junctions at
Burscough, which were closed in the 1960s.
The project has previously been unsuccessfully proposed in 2021, Patrick Hurley
MP believes it remains a strong candidate for future development once funding
becomes available through Network Rail's:- "Rail Network Enhancement
Pipeline." The initiative has broad support from:- local MPs, Lancashire
County Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and the previous
Conservative Government.
Improving Travel Times and Access...
Reopening the Burscough Curves would cut travel times and improve
access to key destinations. Travel between Burscough and Liverpool
could be reduced from:- 44 minutes to 35 minutes, while Southport to
Preston would drop from 58 minutes to just 40 minutes. Additionally,
the project would improve connectivity to major sites, including:-
Ashworth Hospital (Merseycare), Aintree Races, Edge Hill University,
and the expanding community at Midge Hall, where a new prison is
under development.
Beyond reducing travel times, the initiative is expected to
stimulate economic growth by enhancing access to jobs, education,
and essential services. The project aligns with sustainability
goals, as it would encourage a shift from car travel to rail,
reducing congestion and lowering emissions. Furthermore, the
electrification of the:- Southport to Ormskirk route, combined with
battery powered trains for non-electrified sections, makes this a
cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. Notably,
Merseyrail has already committed to operating services on the
Burscough Curves using battery powered units.
Addressing Governance Challenges... A key obstacle to the project's
progress is the fragmented governance between Lancashire County
Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The
current structure complicates the development of integrated
transport solutions, particularly regarding the Merseytravel link.
To resolve this, MP for Southport has proposed empowering a
Lancashire Mayor or Combined County Authority with statutory powers
to facilitate decision-making and project delivery in line with the
Government's devolution agenda.
Mr Hurley has secured meetings with key figures, including Liverpool
City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, Lancashire County Council Leader
Phillipa Williamson, and Lord McGloughlin, Chair of Transport for
the North, to discuss solutions to governance challenges and advance
the project.
"The Burscough Curves would be a low-cost, high-impact way to
improve rail links and boost economic growth. With strong support
from local leaders and Merseyrail's commitment, this project fits
perfectly with the Government's goals for Regional growth,
devolution, and better public transport infrastructure,"
said Patrick Hurley MP for Southport.
Mr. Hurley is urging Network Rail and the Government to reconsider
the proposal and work collaboratively to overcome the remaining
barriers. He is actively seeking further discussions with
stakeholders to ensure the project receives the attention and
funding it deserves.
Ofsted Highlights Positive Progress in Children and Young People's Services
LIVERPOOL City Council's Children and Young People's
Services has received positive feedback from Ofsted following their latest
monitoring visit.
Over 2 days in December 2024, inspectors focused on the Care Leaving Service and
the lives of care-experienced young people, particularly those receiving support
in care and transitioning to adulthood. Inspectors also spoke directly to
care experienced young people to hear their views firsthand.
In their 4th monitoring visit, detailed in the full report here, inspectors
acknowledged the service's ongoing progress.
They praised the:- "enthusiasm" and "tenacity" of staff in
building relationships and providing support to care experienced young people
and recognised that increased capacity, with additional managers and personal
advisors, has resulted in more manageable caseloads.
Inspectors also found strong evidence of support being offered to young people,
including young parents, those in custody, and those in temporary accommodation.
Other findings include:-
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Personal advisors are now being allocated before young people turn 18, with some as early as 17 ½ years old.
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Young people reported feeling safe and supported in their accommodation.
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The 'local offer' for care-experienced young people has been developed and is now accessible.
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Strengthened efforts to support young people at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) reflect the commitment of multiple agencies.
While inspectors recognised the progress made, they also identified areas for further development including:-
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Permanent Housing remains a challenge.
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Pathway planning and the roles of social workers, carers, and independent reviewing officers need to best strengthened to better prepare young people for adulthood.
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Improved coordination is needed to ensure clarity in who is responsible for supporting young people through their transitions and how this support is delivered.
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A new system to help young people understand their health histories needs further embedding.
Councillor Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for
Children and Young People, said:- "The positive feedback from
Ofsted's is to be warmly welcomed and reflects the huge amount of
work going on to improve services for young children in our care.
This report aligns with our own assessment, affirming that Liverpool
is heading in the right direction. While there is still work to be
done, the latest visit confirms that the steps we are taking are
making a real difference. We want to thank the young people who
shared their experiences with inspectors and the incredible teams
who worked tirelessly during this visit. This progress is a
testament to their hard work, dedication, and teamwork."
Jenny Turnross, Corporate Director for Children and Young People's
Services, said:- "As a service, we remain committed to driving
further improvements to ensure that Liverpool's care-experienced
young people receive the support they need to thrive. Together, we
are building a better future for all children and young people in
Liverpool."
