Steve Garrill’s book ‘Walks From The South Fylde Line’ gained a very special mention in the Houses of Parliament during a debate centred on the local railway service.

Asking for improvements to the local line, Fylde MP Mark Menzies said, ‘It is raised repeatedly not only on the doorsteps, but at local events and in written correspondence. Just standing on the platform at Preston station, people come up to me and say, “We need to do better than this.”

MP Menzies then gave reference to local author Steve Garrill (pictured below) during the discussion.

To exemplify and illustrate the need for funding for development, MP Menzies added, ‘One need only read local author Steve Garrill’s “Walks From The South Fylde Line”, or Community Rail Lancashire’s “Discover the South Fylde Line” to discover the trove of activities, be they leisure, cultural or entertainment, within reach of the line. Whether relaxing on St Anne’s beach and walking over the sand dunes, taking in the estuary views from Lytham Green, or testing your golfing skills at the world-class Royal Lytham, coastal Fylde has so much to offer and is a magnet for day-trippers and holidaymakers alike. Beyond Lytham St Anne’s is Blackpool pleasure beach, one of the country’s biggest visitor attractions. We also have a thriving night-time economy. All these activities are served by the unreliable and infrequent service on the South Fylde line.’

The full debate has been recorded for posterity in Hansard.