Busy rail line reopens after five month closure

One of the busiest rail routes in the North West is about to reopen as the holiday season gets under way in earnest.

The line between Preston and Blackpool North is set to reopen next week following a series of delays in improvement work.

As part of the multi-billion pound Great North Rail Project, the line will reopen after five months of work to upgrade the tracks, station platforms and signalling system.

Train services between Preston and Blackpool North will resume from Monday 16 April initially with one train per hour allowing time for driver training on the route.

Northern will operate one train per hour between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport – via Preston – and will continue to supplement this with two stopping and two express bus services every hour between Blackpool North and Preston.

The hourly service between Blackpool South and Preston will continue to operate but with many services extended to operate to/from Colne.

Also on Monday 16 April, Virgin Trains on the west coast will reinstate its direct service to Blackpool North, which departs from London Euston.

The closure of the line was extended in March to complete the route upgrade following severe weather and the breakdown of critical machinery used to install new overhead line equipment.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “During the closure we’ve worked round-the-clock to upgrade and electrify the line to provide passengers with better services on this important route later this year.

“This work will allow greener, quieter and more reliable train services to run between Preston and Blackpool North when the new timetable is introduced on 20 May.”

Sharon Keith, Northern regional director, said: “We’re delighted to be able to once again start running trains between Blackpool North and Preston. The electrification work, carried out as part of the Great North Rail Project, will enable us to run greener and more reliable electric trains from Blackpool as part of our May timetable change, giving our customers more comfortable journeys and more journey options.

“On Monday 16 April we will introduce an hourly service on the route while we carry out essential driver training in preparation for the May timetable changes. I am asking our customers to plan their journeys carefully when travelling to and from Blackpool. Timetables from Blackpool North will be updated as more services are introduced, whilst a full rail service will continue to operate from Blackpool South.”

Michael Stewart, general manager at Virgin Trains on the west coast, said: “At Virgin Trains we’re pleased to be returning to Blackpool with our northbound service from London Euston to Blackpool North. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding, whilst Network Rail has worked to electrify the line between Blackpool North and Preston as part of the Great Rail North Project.”

As part of Blackpool’s rail upgrade Network Rail has rebuilt 11 bridges, remodelled 11 station platforms, replaced 11,000 metres of track, installed 200,000 metres of overhead power line, upgraded railway drainage systems and installed 84 new modern signals.

The brand new signalling system, controlled from Network Rail’s operating centre in Manchester, will help to reduce delays and improve railway performance.

When the railway reopens, upgrade work will continue into spring during overnight shifts when trains aren’t running.

Passengers should keep checking www.nationalrail.co.uk  for the latest travel information.