On 27 August 1941, two aircraft—a Blackburn Botha trainer and a Boulton Paul Defiant fighter—collided in midair over the sea, just off Blackpool's central seafront.

[7] Blackpool Corporation had successfully lobbied British Railways for Central to be closed instead, in order that it might buy the land for potentially lucrative redevelopment.

The direct "Marton" line from Preston (which also passed through Blackpool South station) was closed in 1965, leaving a large tract of wasteland along with disused embankments and bridges.

In the late 1980s, the derelict track bed of the central railway line was adapted into a road, Yeadon Way, connecting the town centre with the M55 motorway.

A large part of the sidings and other land formerly belonging to British Rail were converted into a car park at about the same time as the road was completed.

[9] A planning application for the scheme has been submitted to Blackpool Council, which includes proposals to deliver a multistorey car park, Heritage Quarter, public square, three indoor entertainment centres, hotel, restaurants and additional leisure and hospitality space [10]