august2021 – Fylde Council

South Fylde Line: Next steps

Fylde Council — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 14:58:39 +0000

Fylde Council has been successful in obtaining funding, sponsored by the Local MPs, from the Government’s Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund. Stantec and Allan Rail have been commissioned to prepare a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the South Fylde Line to improve transport services and infrastructure along the rail corridor.

The development of a business case is in line with the government guidance and is the first stage in making the case for investment through the Restoring Your Railways Ideas Fund.

Obtaining the views of the public to feed into the study is a vital part of the business case development.

The South Fylde Line is one of two railway lines connecting the coastal resort town of Blackpool to Preston and the wider UK national rail network. The railway infrastructure between Kirkham & Wesham and Blackpool South limits the number of trains that can operate on the line to one per hour therefore and gives rise to reliability issues with the service.

A number of ‘core’ rail options involving improvements to the South Fylde Line to allow a half-hourly frequency will be assessed through this study. However, it will also take a wider view considering options to improve public transport in the South Fylde area generally, including consideration of light rail / tram and bus options.

The study background, including the opportunity to complete a short survey to let us know how you use public transport in the South Fylde area and the problems that you encounter with it, is available at this link: South Fylde Public Engagement

Please provide your feedback as requested on the link. Please note that when providing feedback, no personally identifiable information is requested or collected.

If you do not have access to the internet or would prefer a hard copy form to fill out, please contact Fiona Duncan: fiona.duncan@stantec.com or 0131 297 7019. We will issue you with a paper-based form and reply-paid envelope. We can also complete the survey with you over the phone if you wish.

The feedback from the engagement will be used to understand current travel behaviour in the South Fylde area and the problems encountered when making journeys by public transport. This evidence will be used to feed into the development of the business case submitted to the Department for Transport seeking funding for new transport services and / or infrastructure.

The opportunity to view the information about the study and provide feedback will be available until 18^th September 2021.

This study is being undertaken in partnership with a wider client group comprising of Blackpool Council, Lancashire County Council, Network Rail, Northern Railway, Community Rail Lancashire and the Department for Transport.

Fylde Council Leader, Councillor Karen Buckley said:

“I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to engage with the study so that local travel needs can be captured fully. The rail link through Fylde to Preston is much needed for commuters and visitors alike but with it only being an hourly train the connections to/from Preston can easily be missed. People are put off using the train because of the infrequent and unreliable service. A half-hourly timetable would transform public transport and make the train journey a more viable option.”

Powerful giant message on Fylde beach – Take It, Don’t Leave It

Fylde Council — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:39:11 +0000

Fylde has seen the creation of a second giant sand art installation, this time featuring a 30m dolphin and blazoning the Council’s ‘Take It, Don’t Leave It’ anti-littering message.

The enormous raked artwork was created at low tide, close to St Annes Pier on August 23^rdin a striking bid to raise awareness of the effects of littering across the area.

Fylde Council’s Chair of Environment, Health and Housing Committee, Cllr Tommy Threlfall said: “It was wonderful to see so many people taking an interest in the sand art we commissioned as part of the Take It, Don’t Leave It litter campaign.

“The initiative, which has been ongoing throughout the summer, is one part of our wider council plans to work towards becoming carbon neutral and reduce the amount of plastic and other harmful waste in our borough and, notably, on our cherished beach.

“Any plastics that end up in the sea can, and all too often do, prove fatal when ingested by marine wildlife.

“The dolphin depicted in the artwork is just one of the species in danger and, as it was a sunny day, lots of beachgoers stopped to find out more about Richard’s artwork and the message behind it.

“It really resonated with Fylde visitors, and the aerial video serves to further spread this important message, show off the scale of the piece and highlight the beauty of our stunning coastline.

“The spectacular piece was created by renowned environmental artist Richard Shilling and the events of the day were captured by the talented Neal and Sophie from Fylde based North Film, so we extend our thanks to them for all their help.

“Our efforts in striving for more environmentally friendly operations, processes and procedures will continue in earnest in the coming weeks and months and we look forward to sharing more updates soon.”

This piece follows the recent large-scale footprint sand art that made up part of the same anti-littering message; encouraging people to leave nothing behind but their footsteps in the sand.

With more people taking UK holidays this year and Fylde receiving record numbers of visitors, the Council is keen to keep the region tidy for all to enjoy.

For more information about the Take It, Don’t Leave It initiative please visit: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/fylde-visitors-asked-to-take-it-dont-leave-it/

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Fylde residents to benefit from new Handyperson and Sanctuary schemes

Fylde Council — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 10:56:34 +0000

Fylde Council are working in partnership with Preston Care and Repair to deliver a handy person and sanctuary scheme for the benefit of Fylde residents.

The handyperson will offer impartial and practical help including:

Handyperson and minor works service
Healthy home checks to improve home safety and security
Advice and assistance with larger adaptions and home repairs
Practical support to people returning from hospital

The Handyperson service is targeted at lower income households, particularly older and disabled people. The service covers both health, housing and social care aims and objectives to enable vulnerable clients to remain in their own homes. This is done by assisting households to keep on top of minor household repairs and DIY.

The cost of the service is kept to a minimum and subsidised by Fylde Council. If you are in receipt of any benefits there will be no cost for the labour but you will be expected to pay for the materials at cost price.

The Sanctuary Scheme is designed to enable victims of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes, where it is safe for them to do so and where it is their choice. The service also ensures that when clients move into their new home security measures can be installed. The service is designed to offer another option for those who would otherwise have to move housing and leave everything and everyone behind at a time when they need the support networks the most. This is done by providing additional security to their property.

More information about the scheme can be found on our website: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/resident/housing/care-and-repair-and-handyperson-scheme/

If you are interested in either scheme or would like to know more please email housinggrants@fylde.gov.uk or fylde@careandrepair.org.

A referral form will be completed with you by a member of our helpful team and forwarded to Preston Care and Repair.