Cottam Parkway station plans set to advance

Plans to establish a train station at Cottam Parkway in a bid to enhance connectivity to Preston, boost long distance travel to Manchester and support proposals to bring forward more than 5,000 new homes look set to advance.The scheme forms part of the Central Lancashire Transport Masterplan, with funding already approved.The station has been designed to improve travel connections between the Cottam and North West Preston developments to Blackpool, Manchester and London, and remove traffic from the strategic road network.It could also support the delivery of more than 5,000 homes in the North West Preston Strategic Housing Location.It would be facilitated by the recently completed electrification of the Preston-Blackpool North line, accompanied by the ongoing provision of new or improved rolling stock and additional capacity.Proposed is a two-platform station with a pedestrian overbridge, ticketing facilities and a car park east of the Preston Western Distributor.The scheme has been the subject of public consultation.Cabinet is now being asked to approve the use of such an order to allow the project to advance.