WEST Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is “encouraged” that her calls for better transport links to the proposed new cemetery in Burscough are being progressed by the district council.

It comes after Rosie pressed the local authority to ensure that the new facility is fully accessible to people, especially those coming from the Skelmersdale area, given the town’s historically low car ownership rates.

In a letter to Rosie, district council deputy chief executive Les Abernethy said the council is in discussions with the applicant and Lancs County Council about whether there are existing bus services which connect the main A59 road to the proposed site, which is just off the A59, and how this would meet public demand.

One of the possibilities being explored is the re-routing of the existing Skelmersdale to Ormskirk bus service, or the provision of a mini bus link between the A59 and the site.

The outcome of these talks will be reported to the district council’s Planning Committee when it meets to consider the crematorium plan.

MP Rosie said: “I’m very encouraged that the district council will report on the transport issue at the same time as the planning application is being considered.

“It is important the site is served by quality public transport links. At the moment, there is a service which goes from Skelmersdale to Ormskirk via the A59 in Burscough, so all we need to do is find that final piece of the jigsaw which enables people to be able to get from the A59 to the crematorium.

“I’m hopeful a solution to the transport problem can be found and will be implemented in plenty of time for the opening , and that eventually the solution that Skelmersdale residents want - their own local cemetery - will be provided.“