Railways and Morecambe Bay

Professor Paul Salveson's talk will cover the impact of the railways on Morecambe Bay - its environment, industry and society. Morecambe itself was transformed from being a small fishing village to a major seaside resort. An even bigger transformation took place at Barrow, becoming one of the world's great engineering centres with a huge iron and steel works. The Furness Railway was at the heart of this industrial revolution. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the railway diversified into 'cultural tourism' promoting small-scale attractions and the natural landscape.

Paul will ask, 'what is the role of the railways today in meeting the needs of Morecambe Bay communities - and should we be more visionary in our transport policies? 

About Professor Paul Salveson MBE - Paul's professional career has been in rail and community development, whilst pursuing interests in social and cultural history. Paul completed his PhD on Lancashire Dialect Literature, at the University of Salford and has written extensively on aspects of northern history with his most recent book ‘Lancastrians – mills, mines and minarets’ published in 2024. He is a visiting professor at the universities of Huddersfield and Bolton and is manager of the railway library at Kents Bank Station and a director of the neighbouring Beach Hut Gallery. Paul is also a trustee of the charity Morecambe Bay Partnership.