Plans submitted for new rail station in Preston

Lancashire County Council has submitted a planning application for the new Cottam Parkway rail station in Preston. The plans have been developed by the county council, working with Preston City Council and Network Rail.

Cottam Parkway is a proposed new railway station on the north-west side of the city, on the Blackpool to Preston railway line.

The new railway station, between Lea and Cottam, would improve travel connections to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester, and further afield, said the council.

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."

www.lancashire.gov.uk/CottamStation