The West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership held their quarterly management group meeting on Thursday 27 August 2026. The well attended meeting was held on line via Microsoft Teams.
Stephen Benge, Chair of the partnership welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if the minutes from the last meeting could be approved. This agreed by all present and no matters arising were raised.
Richard Watts, Secretary for the partnership gave an update on the current acivity plan and highlighted a number of points:
+ Noted that the next Station Adoption meeting would be held on Tuesday 11th May 2027 at County Hall, Preston.
+ Advised that the Croston Heritage Open Days would be taking place on the 19th & 20th September 2026. CRL has provided leaflets and posters to support this.
+ Noted that the (re)accreditation meeting for WoLCRP would be taking place on 29th October 2026, along with CRL and the other CRPs.
+ Beth Nolan, Community Rail Officer thanked all those who attended the Poetry Train event on 24th August 2026 which included station adopters from across West Lancashire who worked with poet and story writer Ajaz Qureshi. This will contribute to the ‘Voices of Lancashire’ celebration on Lancashire Day being organised by CRL.
Ajaz Qureshi and Beth Nolan on the Poetry Train – photo © John Holden
+ Beth also advised that the Big Goose Trail being led by Martin Mere starts on the 5th September and continues until the 18th There will be geese at Burscough Bridge railway station. For more information see: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/whats-on/events/the-big-goose-trail
+ Richard invited all to the Northern Education Network meeting which will focus on how to enhance social media presence. This will be held at Mann Island in Liverpool on the 14th October from 10:30 – 13:00. Please contact Catherine Kingdom for more information on catherine.kingdom@communityraillancashire.co.uk
Member Reports
Northern Railway
Owain Roberts and Sarah Morgan from Northern gave an update and their presentation can be seen on this link: Northern presentation August 2026
Lancashire Combined County Authority
Mike Cliffe provided an update for the Lancashire Combined County Authority and the presentation can be seen on this on WoLCRP LCCA update 27.08.26
West of Lancashire Borough Council
Stephen Benge noted that Community Payback visit Burscough Junction’s disused platform to tend to the overgrowth. Beth will action this. The longstanding need to find a solution to the ponding issue at the station car park remains.
Merseytravel
Marion Atkinson welcomed the initiatives taking place in Sefton and looked forward to hearing how the Buddy Up and Internship projects go.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Sarah Grimes gave an update and her presentation can be seen here: TfGM update September 2026
Community Rail Network
Ian Davis gave an update and this van be seen here CRN Update For CRPs 26th August.2026
Network Rail
Richard Watts spoke on behalf of Andy Griffin to invite all to the Network Rail Community Drop In Sessions in which TOCS and Stakeholders will be present to answer questions. These will be held on 6th November at Square One, Manchester & on 27th November at County Hall, Preston, the latter date may be subject to change as it clashes with Lancashire Day.
Station Partnerships
Phil Benzie from the Friends of Burscough Stations updated that the phone box renovation at New Lane Station aims to be completed before Winter 2026. SB thanked Phil (and other station adopters including David Pryer) for his hard work in keeping station plants and flowers watered over the hot spring and summer months.
David Pryer from the Friends of Hoscar Station referred to the 2 new community notice boards that will shortly be installed at the station and thanked Sarah Morgan for funding them.
No other business was raised and the meeting closed, The next meeting will be held on 26th November 2026, 10:00, by Microsoft Teams.