We have a fantastic hospitality and tourism trade here in Fylde, and with Easter fast approaching businesses are gearing up for the start of another summer season. For well over a century families from across the North West and beyond have flocked to enjoy our beaches and, for the hardier visitors, a dip in the Irish sea.
Last year’s downgrading of the waters off St Annes’ two beaches was therefore a huge disappointment for me as well as for our hardworking hoteliers, café and restaurant owners. Fylde Borough Council have been investigating the source of the pollution which, although multi-faceted, appears to be primarily due to polluted waters entering the Ribble via its many local tributaries and flowing out into the estuary.
I met with the Minister for Water to discuss this with him, asking for his help in pushing the Environment Agency and United Utilities to move faster in resolving these issues. We need to see work like that proposed at Liggard Brook expedited, improving the flow and cleanliness of these watercourses, with the knock-on effects felt on our beaches.
On Monday I was at Preston Station to meet with Network Rail regarding the South Fylde Line upgrades. While we have long known that this project will require the installation of a passing loop around Ansdell, the upgrades needed at Preston Station have been less clearcut. We discussed how future services will likely be served by what is known informally as ‘Platform 0’, formerly serving the nearby Royal Mail depot.
At one time earmarked for HS2 services, the platform requires some minor upgrades. However, with Lancashire County Council receiving a £494 million funding boost from reallocated HS2 funds, this is a generational opportunity that simply cannot be missed.
Plans for the South Fylde Line are at an advanced stage. With the funding there to be used, I have asked the County Council to formally support the project and declare it priority for this reallocated money. Once we have that funding secured, and building on my Parliamentary debate and previous meetings with Network Rail and the Department for Transport, I will be convening a working group to make these proposals a reality.
It was great to see the Offshore Inn open on the promenade in St Annes following the refurbishment of two previously adjoining hotels, converting them into one larger hotel with a bar and restaurant area. Investment of this size is always hugely welcome and will help support countless local jobs.
I was similarly pleased to learn that a former finalist from Bake Off: Professionals is set to open a new patisserie just off St Annes Square. After a challenging few years, this will be a fantastic addition to the town centre, showing the potential it has as a location for businesses both large and small. But more can be done to accelerate the town’s rejuvenation, and I continue to work with Fylde Borough Council to secure Levelling Up money to help redesign the town centre.