Disruption looms for Lancashire commuters
Rail passengers travelling between Preston and Blackpool are being warned of serious disruption during 19 weeks of work which starts on November 11.
Buses will replace trains during railway closures, Network Rail which is working with Northern to deliver the Great North Rail Project.
Network Rail says it is the biggest railway upgrade between the two towns since the 1800s.
It will carry out what it says vital upgrades to track and platforms at Blackpool North and Kirkham & Wesham stations. It is also upgrading the signalling system on both lines to Blackpool which includes installing 84 new modern signals.
Between Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, January 28, 2018 the railway will be completely closed between Preston and Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations.
Between Monday, January 29, 2018 and Sunday, March 25, 2018 the railway between Preston and Blackpool South will reopen but the railway between Kirkham & Wesham and Blackpool North will remain closed.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s London North Western route managing director, said: “The upgrade of the line between Preston and Blackpool is the largest rail investment in the area since the 19th century. It will enable greener, quieter and more reliable train services, providing passengers and Blackpool with a railway to be proud of.
“As Blackpool’s economy grows, the railway is growing too and we are working with the wider industry and our Blackpool region partners to keep the people of Blackpool and the Fylde on the move throughout the closure. There is never a good time to carry out this type of work but we have planned it to take place outside of the main holiday season so it causes the least impact.
“I am confident the short-term pain will certainly be worth the long-term gain of transformed train travel in future.”
Sharon Keith, regional director at Northern, said: “The upgrade of the line between Preston and Blackpool is a key phase of the modernisation of the railway in the north of England.
“The work will pave the way for further improvements for our customers who, in the future, will benefit from brand new or fully refurbished electric trains – resulting in better journeys and, thanks to further investment, better stations.”
Transport Minister Jesse Norman, said: “This vital upgrade is part of the government’s biggest investment in the network since Victorian times and will mean more seats, better connections, and more reliable journeys for rail passengers.
“We recognise there will be temporary disruption, but the benefits for passengers will be significant when complete. We are investing billions of pounds in transport across the region and I am delighted that this project is on track to deliver what passengers have told us they want to see.”
