A FIVE-month long feasibility study into a planned new train station serving Euxton's Royal Ordnance site is set to begin.

Funding has been agreed between British Aerospace and North Western Trains/Railtrack for the study.

The proposed station would be located on the Preston to Manchester via Chorley line.

Lancashire County Council's public transport sub-committee, which meets today (Thursday), discussed a report on the station at the end of last year. It will receive progress reports on the study.

Meanwhile, transport chiefs will have to wait for the outcome of a summer inquiry to find out if the new station at Euxton Balshaw Lane can get a car park.

A compulsory purchase order for land has been served on the land owner and an inquiry has been arranged by the Department of Transport for July 22.

It has not been able to provide a car park at the station because part of the land required was sold by the former British Rail into private ownership.

Despite many attempts, it has not been possible to buy the land by negotiation and a compulsory purchase order was placed on it.

Discussions are also taking place with North Western Trains to see if short term improvements can be made to the train service calling at the station.

These have concentrated mainly on providing an earlier arrival into Preston in the morning peak and a later evening departure from Liverpool.

The report to the sub-committee stated: "It is pleasing, therefore, that North Western Trains has agreed that from the start of the winter timetable, it will extend the 2305 Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan service to Preston, calling at Euxton and Leyland on Mondays to Fridays.

"North Western Trains will also evaluate possible improvements to the morning service into Preston."

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