Hands off our rail services, writes Rosie Cooper MP

Amid ongoing concerns at the outcome of the Manchester Recovery Task Force, Rosie Cooper MP has recently written to key stakeholders at Transport for the North and the Department for Transport, urging that West Lancashire be spared cuts to its services.  

Under current proposals, the existing Southport to Manchester Piccadilly service will be axed in a rail consultation which has given local residents no opportunity to voice another preference. This would affect a number of stations in West Lancashire which the service stops at.   

Rosie Cooper MP commented,  
“It is unbelievable that the government would consider a proposal to further restrict rail services in West Lancashire. Cutting this route would cut off convenient access to the south of Manchester, including to Manchester Airport.  

 “Residents were given three options to choose between in this consultation, but for those in West Lancs it was a sham – as all three options included the axing of the Southport-Piccadilly service. 

“I have written urgently to Richard George, Chair of OLR Holdings Ltd, who has been asked by Transport for the North to review the current proposals. It is imperative that he recognise the concerns of West Lancashire residents and preserve this important route.”