Cottam Parkway[1][2] is a proposed railway station to the west of Preston, England.[3][4][5][6][7] The proposed station would serve existing and new developments in the Leacivil parish.
As part of the original Preston Local Plan, the station would have been constructed in 2022/23 adjacent to the Preston Western Distributor Road, which will link to the M55 motorway.[8][9] In the amended plan the Cottam station looked set to be removed because of uncertainty over its location.[10] Preston was shortlisted for the Transforming City Fund, including a proposal to fund Cottam railway station.[11][12] It is now planned to submit a planning application in 2022, which, if successful, could lead to an opening in 2024 or 2025.[13]
The plan is to locate it on the Preston to Blackpool section. Construction may have required the closure of the neighbouring Salwick railway station, as referred to in Page 38 of the Central Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan.[14]
In December 2020 Lancashire County Council agreed to acquire land to assist with the construction of the station and access roads.[15][16] LCC submitted a planning application in October 2022.[17] Planning permission for the new station was granted in September 2023 (Lancashire County Council ref LCC/2022/0049). A vote by Preston County Council in August 2024 threatened the entire project.[18] A negotiated settlement over new homes put the project back on track a few days later.[19]
Location
The station would be near the site of the former Lea Road railway station between Lea Road and Sidgreaves Lane. It was planned to be part of the construction of a new distributor road linking the M55 with the A583,[20] which began in September 2019 and opened as Edith Rigby Way, part of the A582, on 3 July 2023.[21]
