It has most certainly been a disappointing start to the year for rail passengers here in Fylde, with services along the South Fylde branch cancelled for five straight days due to industrial action.
Even when trains have been scheduled to run there have been problems with repeated cancellations, something Northern promised would be resolved with the introduction of a new timetable in December. The continued lack of reliability puts passengers off travelling, increasing car use and undermining the case for investment in the line. I am still convinced there is huge potential in the line, the details of which I will be explaining to the new Minister when we meet, but first and foremost Northern needs to do better with the service currently offered. I am meeting with managers this week and want to know how they intend to deliver improvements for passengers locally.
More broadly, it is time for the disruptive industrial action to end. There do need to be changes to the way our railway operates, to ensure a reliable, seven day service for passengers. There also needs to be a pay settlement which is fair both to workers and the taxpayer, who will foot much of the bill for any increases.
On a more positive note, January has brought a huge investment in bus services, introducing, for the first time, a fare cap. Many of our local operators, including Blackpool Transport and Stagecoach, are participating in the Government-funded scheme, which runs until the end of March and ensures nobody pays over £2 for a single journey. It is great to see support going into sustainable travel options.
A key date is looming for residents and businesses in Kirkham with work due to start later this month on a multi-million pound regeneration scheme. I fought hard to secure the funding, through the Future High Streets Fund and Heritage Action Zone scheme. The fact Kirkham succeeded in securing more than £10m, where so many others failed, demonstrates the effort made and the quality of the bid. I am looking forward to seeing spades in the ground and to the transformation of public spaces and vacant buildings across the town. It is a transformation long overdue and an exciting time for all those in the town, including the fantastic independent traders on the high street.
I want to see the same Government commitment to other local communities, including St Annes where a multi-million pound bid to the Levelling Up Fund is currently under consideration. I have made clear my support to Ministers and very much want to see the funding delivered.