The South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership held their regular quarterly management group meeting online on 22 November 2025.
The station adopters at Blackpool Pleasure Beach station
The meeting was well attended with representatives from Community Rail Lancashire, Blackpool Council, Northern Railway, Network Rail, British Transport Police and from local station adoption groups. Chair Tony Ford welcomed everyone to the meeting and the minutes from the last meeting held in August 2025 were approved.
Secretary Richard Watts gave an update on the Activity Plan and covered these points:
+ CRL has appointed Beth Nolan as the Community Rail Officer for the West of Lancashire CRP (see https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/news/a-new-member-of-staff-for-crl/)
+ 2026 marks 25years of Community Rail in Lancashire. The Partnership was asked to propose ideas for marking this along the South Fylde Line.
+ Confirmation that the SFL CRP has been reaccredited has been received from the Community Rail Network.
+ St Annes station was highly commended in the recent National Rail Awards.
+ Inspiration train: thank you to Tony Ford and volunteers for their help when the train was at Blackpool North. The train is back in the NW in January 2026, and details can be found on the Railway 200 website https://railway200.co.uk/ where you can book your visit.
Members of the CRL team at Blackpool North with the Inspiration Train
Caroline Holden, partnership officer for the line, updated on the Kirkham & Wesham station self-guide heritage trail which is in development. Funding permitting this will launch spring 2026. Progress is also being made on the art project with Armfield Academy for BPB being, supported by artist and professional photographer, Diane Muldowney.
The full Activity Plan can be downloaded on this link: Activity Plan update 20 November 2025
Updates from other management group members followed including:
+ Northern Railway who updated on performance, community activity and commercial activity – the presentation can be downloaded here: South Fylde CRP November 2025
+ Network Rail covered updates on Railway 200, the upcoming blockade at Ardwick and about redundant land at Kirkham & Wesham station – download the PDF here: Network Rail Report November ag 2025
+ British Transport Police who gave an update on crimes around the area – download the document here: BtP Update
+ Community Rail Network although not present at the meeting sent this PDF that covered events and training courses, download here: Community Rail Network Events & Training
+ Mike Cliffe from Lancashire County Council was unable to attend the meeting but sent this presentation: SFL CRP meeting LCC update 20.11.25
There was also updated from Blackpool Council & Fylde Council and Tony Ford gave an overview of station adoption group activity.
The next meeting will be held in March 2026 and will be an online meeting.
