Residents are being asked for their views on public transport in Fylde, as part of the project to double rail services on the South Fylde line.
Engineering and design consultancy Stantec has launched a consultation which needs as much public input as possible to form a Strategic Outline Business Case for the next stage of the successful Restoring Your Railway bid for the line.
The bid, lodged by Fylde MP Mark Menzies Blackpool South MP Scott Benton to establish at least two trains per hour on the line, won full Government backing last year.
Last week, National Rail completed its first draft of a report into the timetabling of services, space at Preston Station, and the effect on ongoing services.
Mr Menzies said: “National Rail’s initial report is clear that doubling services can be done with a small passing loop around Ansdell Station, with space free at Preston Station for those services and with improved connection times to the wider rail network.
“That report will now be used by Stantec who are working on all of the aspects of the business case, which includes auditing all other public transport links in the area.
“We now need as many people as possible to complete the survey at https://new.fylde.gov.uk/south-fylde-line-next-steps/ to help better inform the business case and to demonstrate a good level of consultation.
“We desperately need to double these rail services. One per hour is simply not practical for commuters or those going to college or appointments, and neither is it good enough to attract visitors to the area.
“Doubling services will make it a viable option and will also improve the reliability of the service for us all.”